change off
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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.
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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 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.