Synonyms

out of work

Idioms

Unemployed; also, having no work to do. For example, He lost his job a year ago and has been out of work ever since, or They don't give her enough assignments—she's always out of work. Shakespeare used this expression in Henry V (1:2): “All out of work and cold for action.”

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.

Thank God I’m not sweaty, nauseous, calling out of work and wondering if my friends all hate me.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

Job seekers spent 26 weeks out of work, the data show.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

The review, authored by former minister Alan Milburn, found that one in six young people is set to be out of work, education or training in five years unless action is taken.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

More than a million Iranians have been left out of work as the national currency falls to record lows.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

He had paid them even when illness or injury kept them out of work and established an exposition hospital that provided free medical care.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023