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.
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.
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.
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.