away from (one's) desk

(redirected from away from his 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?
See also: away, desk

*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
References in classic literature ?
Here was the truth, here was reality, here was the life that belonged to him; and he, who fancied himself so scornful of arbitrary restraints, had been afraid to break away from his desk because of what people might think of his stealing a holiday!
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Casaubon being unenjoying and impatient in everything away from his desk, and wanting to get to the end of all journeys; and Dorothea was now bowled along quickly.
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Paul Lankester, chief executive of Stratford District Council, had been away from his desk while the complaint, based on an alleged inappropriate comment made to a woman, was investigated by solicitors.
Council boss cleared over alleged remark
One day my boss asked me to be in his office just before mid-day, and I was told to sit on a chair away from his desk.
Lesson from yesteryear. (Letters)
When he was finally down to the last bottle, Davies slipped away from his desk, allowing the awful truth to be revealed-a sell-by date some two years previous.
Netprophet: Piscine passion of new Flutter man
2) Vern Alary, from Boeing's Chatsworth facility, works on part of a giant insect Friday on a rare day away from his desk.
ROSE PARADE RENDEZVOUS BOEING FLOAT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
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