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Synonyms

on-the-job

American  
[on-thuh-job, awn-] / ˈɒn ðəˌdʒɒb, ˈɔn- /

adjective

  1. done, received, or happening while in actual performance of one's work.

    on-the-job training.
on the job Idioms  

  1. At work, busy, as in We've got three men on the job . [Late 1800s]

  2. Paying close attention, alert, as in Trust Jim to find out the details—he's always on the job .

Etymology

Origin of on-the-job

First recorded in 1935–40

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.

AI has automated entry-level tasks that once served as on-the-job training.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Workers contend that the high vacancy rate leads to more on-the-job assaults, mandatory overtime and staff turnover.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2025

Baron was one of 53 baristas chosen since 2024 for the company’s Green Apron Creators initiative, which encourages rank-and-file employees to post on-the-job videos.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 2, 2025

“If, God forbid, there’s a terrible tragedy, I can’t think of better on-the-job training than what I’ve gotten over the last 200 days,” Vice President J.D.

From Salon • Sep. 3, 2025

“Good luck” or “Godspeed” were what you might expect to hear at the conclusion of on-the-job training for some other kind of work.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

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.