off-duty
adjective
not engaged in the performance of one's usual work.
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off-duty
American
[awf-doo-tee, -dyoo-, of-]
/ ˈɔfˈdu ti, -ˈdju-, ˈɒf- /
adjective
-
not engaged in the performance of one's usual work.
an off-duty police officer.
-
of, relating to, or during a period when a person is not at work.
off duty
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of off-duty
First recorded in 1850–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Robinson has served jail time in the U.K. on charges including assaulting an off-duty police officer, using a false passport to enter the U.S. and mortgage fraud.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
The regional settlers council told us that an off-duty soldier was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the shooting.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
WSJ | Buy Side: See our guide to the best khakis for the office, the golf course or off-duty days.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026
Nunez said the suspect was "apprehended by an off-duty police officer".
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
Even when off-duty, Officer Delinko always kept the radio in his police cruiser turned on.
From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen
Prosecutors said the 40 -year-old did this while off duty and on sick days to earn cash on the side of his day job.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
Platner pleaded ignorance—claiming that he had gotten inked with insignia while drunk and off duty in Croatia, and didn’t understand the horrific context until much later.
From Slate ● Apr. 13, 2026
CBP told the BBC on Tuesday it had taken the agents off duty following standard protocol.
From BBC ● Jan. 28, 2026
Kirakosian said this incident likely resulted in an arrest because the agent was off duty.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 17, 2025
They were well stocked with food and drink; they had fjres to warm them when off duty, a place to dry their clothes, snug comers to lie down and sleep.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
