on/off duty
off duty
Officially not in the capacity of working during one's normal working day or assigned hours; not on duty. Typically used of doctors, nurses, and police officers. Often hyphenated. Sorry, I'm off duty. You should ask someone at reception. An off-duty police officer leapt into action and managed to apprehend the criminal.
on duty
Officially in the capacity of working during one's normal working day or assigned hours. Typically used of doctors, nurses, and police officers. Often hyphenated. I'd love to sit down with you for a drink, but as you can see by the uniform I'm wearing, I'm actually on duty right now. Even though several on-duty police officers were on the scene, no one noticed the burglar stealing the painting.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
off duty
not working at one's job. (The opposite of on duty.) I'm sorry, I can't talk to you until I'm off duty. The police officer couldn't help me because he was off duty.
on duty
at work; currently doing one's work. (The opposite of off duty.) I can't help you now, but I'll be on duty in about an hour. Who is on duty here? I need some help.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
off duty
see under on duty.
on duty
At one's post, at work, as in The new nurse was on duty that evening, or The watchman was fired because he was drunk on duty. [Mid-1600s] The antonym, off duty, means "not engaged in one's work," as in Captain Smith was much more amiable when he was off duty. [Mid-1800s]
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.
on/off ˈduty
(of nurses, police officers, etc.) working/not working at a particular time: Who’s on duty today? ♢ What time do you go off duty?Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
off duty
Not engaged in or responsible for assigned work.
on duty
Engaged in or responsible for assigned work.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.