desk

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?

See also: away, desk

be away from (one's) desk

To not be 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? The manager will be away from her desk all afternoon, I'm afraid. I suggest calling back tomorrow. A: "Hey, why isn't Carrie answering her phone?" B: "Looks like she's away from her desk."

See also: away, desk

clear (one's) desk

To remove everything from one's desk. This phrase can be used both in schools (as an instruction before a test) and in workplaces (as an instruction to one who has been fired). All right, everyone, we're going to start the spelling test, so clear your desks. That underperforming employee was asked to clear his desk and leave the building. We crammed for the exam right up to the last second when Miss Patton told us to clear our desks.

See also: clear, desk

desk jockey

A worker who spends the majority of their time seated at a desk. Humorously likened to the jockey of a horse. I was breaking my back working construction for five years before I finally got a job as a desk jockey at the local bank. I feel sorry for all those desk jockeys trapped inside for eight hours a day. I could never be a desk jockey—I need to be out in the sunshine and fresh air.

See also: desk, jockey

get out from behind (something)

To stop spending time behind a desk, computer, counter, etc., especially in order to begin interacting with people face to face. In this industry, your most profitable clients will be the ones you develop personal relationships with, so you've got to get out from behind your desk and actually spend time networking with people. The new program aims to bring pharmacists out from behind the counter and connect them with members of the community who need more basic medical care and advice. You need to get out from behind your computer once in a while and talk to some real people, man. All that arguing online is starting to give you some really toxic opinions.

See also: behind, get, out

hot desk

1. noun A desk or workstation that is shared between employees in an office. I've never worked at a hot desk in a company before; while it was strange not having my own desk at first, with everything done on laptops you barely notice it after a while! Nope, these are all hot desks, so just pick a seat and know that you can pick a different one tomorrow! What do people like better, the hot desks or assigned seating?

2. verb To share a desk or workstation with other employees in an office. I've never hot desked in a company before; while it was strange not having my own desk at first, with everything done on laptops you barely notice it after a while! Everyone in the department works together on different projects at different times, and that's when it's really helpful that we hot desk. Because we hot desk, I try not to leave anything valuable laying around at the end of the day.

See also: desk, hot

hot desking

The act or practice of sharing desks or workstations between employees in an office so as to cut down on the amount of office space required. I've never worked in a company that did hot desking before; while it was strange not having my own desk at first, with everything done on laptops you barely notice it after a while! Everyone in the department works together on different projects at different times, and that's when hot desking really comes in handy. What do people like better, hot desking or assigned seating?

See also: desk, hot

ride a desk

To spend the majority of one's time working at a desk. A humorous play on "desk jockey," meaning the same. I was breaking my back working construction for five years before I finally got a job riding a desk at the local bank. I feel sorry for all those people stuck inside riding desks for eight hours a day.

See also: desk, ride

step away from (one's) desk

To leave one's desk briefly, as in a work environment. I need to step away from my desk for a few minutes. Can you cover for me if the boss comes looking for me? Remember to step away from your desk now and then throughout the day to stretch your body and give your eyes a rest.

See also: away, desk, step

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.

See also: away, desk

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

clear your desk

leave your job, especially having been dismissed.

See also: clear, desk

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

desk jockey

n. someone who works at a desk in an office. (Patterned on disk jockey.) I couldn’t stand being a cooped-up desk jockey.

See also: desk, jockey

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.