change off
1. To alternate with another person while working on a task. When doing manual labor, it always helps to change off with another person and take a rest. Thank goodness I get to change off soon—I'm starving! Someone needs to cover the reception desk at all times, but you can change off once Todd gets here, OK?
2. To alternate between two tasks. Because I was the only one available to work on the mailing, I had to change off between folding letters and stuffing envelopes. I'm working on my thesis, so I'm changing off between typing up quotes from the novel and actually analyzing them. I'm basically an assistant to everyone in the department, so I'm always changing off between tasks for the recruiters and the benefits team.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
change off
[for people] to alternate in doing something. Tom and I changed off so neither of us had to answer the phone all the time. Let's change off every 30 minutes.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
change off
Alternate, or take turns. This phrase is used either for two individuals alternately performing a task, as in
Lifting cement blocks is such heavy work that they decided to change off periodically, or for one person alternately performing two tasks, as in
I can concentrate on this book only for short periods so I frequently change off and work in the garden . Also see
change of pace.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
change off
v.1. To alternate with someone in performing some task: I changed off washing the dishes with my brother. If you two change off once in a while, the work will be less tiring.
2. To perform two tasks at once by alternating, or perform a single task by alternate means: Every so often I changed off between pushing and pulling the cart up the hill.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.