away from (one's) desk
Not at one's desk at a particular time. This phrase is typically said in an office environment on another person's behalf (as by a receptionist or assistant). I'm sorry, Mr. Medina is away from his desk right now. Can I take a message? A: "Hey, why isn't Carrie answering her phone?" B: "Looks like she's away from her desk." Ed's looking for you again. I can say you're still away from your desk—or do you actually want to talk to him this time?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*away from one's desk
Fig. not available for a telephone conversation; not available to be seen or spoken to. (Sometimes said by the person who answers a telephone in an office. It means that the person whom the caller wants is not immediately available due to personal or business reasons. *Typically: be ~; Step ~.) I'm sorry, but Ann is away from her desk just now. Can you come back later? Tom has stepped away from his desk, but if you leave your number, he will call you right back.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.