Definitions

off duty

[awf-doo-tee, -dyoo-, of-] / ˈɔfˈdu ti, -ˈdyu-, ˈɒf- /

ADVERB

not working

Synonyms

WEAK

at liberty on furlough on holiday on leave on one's own time on sabbatical on vacation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Liam said that nowadays they were most often mixed up when they were off duty.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Platner pleaded ignorance—claiming that he had gotten inked with insignia while drunk and off duty in Croatia, and didn’t understand the horrific context until much later.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

The city of Pasadena said in a statement that the alleged incidents occurred while Ramstead was off duty.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

Recently, while he was off duty, a Rolls–Royce caught Caviness’s eye in a garage near a Maryland casino.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

That is to say, it was towards the end of the day during a quiet week and I had been enjoying a rare hour or so off duty.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro