Skip to main content
time off

time off

160 1.6
A time when you are not working, often to rest or recover
  • noun
  • /taɪm ɔf/
translation icon : tiempo libre
  • Thomas Jefferson took time off from his meticulous architectural drafting to become Secretary of State.
  • take time off
  • time off work
  • paid time off

Yeah, but I take oodles of time off between.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • After numerous requests, his boss permitted him to take time off from work without pay.

    Academic text (2012)
  • I'm gonna take some time off, so things can actually happen to me again.

  • So you took some time off and came back without a voice.

  • But I think it's healthy to not, you know, to take that time off as well.

  • Look, you want to take time off, take time off.

  • I took time off of work for this.

  • The director must have asked if he could get time off, I guess.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • When parents like Mr. Sau take time off work, it means less income for the month.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Employers will often give these volunteers time off from work to participate in a mentoring program.

    Academic text (1997)
  • After months of hard work, she decided to take time off to relax and recharge.

Synonyms

leave
vstime off
  • Formal
443 3.8

Official permission to be absent from work or duty

is a general period without work for rest or holiday
day off
vstime off
283 1.1

A day when you do not have to work

is any longer period away not limited to a single day
free time
vstime off
117 1.0

A time when you are not working and can do things you enjoy

is absence from a job, not ordinary personal free hours
leisure
vstime off
100 1.3

Time not spent working when you can relax or do things you enjoy

is the formal employment break, not everyday spare time
time out
vstime off
46 2.3

A short break from an activity to rest or talk about what to do next

is about longer work absence rather than brief pauses
leave of absence
vstime off
  • Formal
38 3.9

A period when someone is officially allowed to be away from work or school

is the everyday term for any period not working
sick leave
vstime off
14 2.4

A period away from work because a worker is ill

is broader and includes absences for other reasons
paid vacation
vstime off
  • US
13 1.7

A time away from work when a person still gets their usual money

is broader and includes unpaid breaks or other absence reasons
leisure time
vstime off
12 2.0

Free time when you are not working and can relax or do things you like

is about formal absence from job rather than general free moments
family leave
vstime off
12 2.7

Time away from work to care for family members after a birth, adoption, or when they are ill

is the broader absence idea, not limited to family reasons
day of rest
vstime off
8 2.3

A day when people do not work and relax, often for religious reasons

is neutral about purpose, not tied to religion
parental leave
vstime off
  • Formal
5 3.4

Time off work to care for a new child after birth or adoption

is general, covering many causes beyond childcare
rest day
vstime off
4 2.0

A day to relax and not work

is the general absence term regardless of scheduled rest
extended leave
vstime off
2 3.6

A long time away from work for personal, medical, or family reasons

is any time away including short or regular breaks
sabbatical leave
vstime off
1 5.3

A period of paid time away from work to study or travel

is broader and applies to ordinary rest or short holidays

Antonyms

4 2.4

The hours when a person must work for their job

A set time when a person must work and be available

How Long

sabbatical
31 6.6
vacation
  • US
1.0
time off
160 1.6
day off
283 1.1
break
1.0

Surface Forms

time off singular
times off plural

Morphology

time + off

The meaning 'a period when you do not have to work' is directly derivable from combining 'time' (a span or period) with 'off' (not working/inactive), so the phrase literally denotes time when one is off duty. This is a common, compositional English pattern (and has close parallels in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Time off: The noun time off comes from the simple idea of taking time 'off' from work, like switching a light off when you stop using it so it is not working. So it means a period when you are 'not working' and can rest or be on holiday.