work off

verb

1. to get rid of or dissipate, as by effort

   he worked off some of his energy by digging the garden

2. to discharge (a debt) by labour rather than payment

Idioms and Phrases

Get rid of by work or effort, as in They worked off that big dinner by running on the beach, or It'll take him months to work off that debt. [Second half of 1600s]

Example Sentences

Wissa's record in front of goal, his ability to plug in and his work off the ball made him an attractive proposition for Newcastle, who only had one player hit double figures last season.

From BBC

New Mexico became the first state to ban lunch shaming in 2017, and others followed with laws against tactics like throwing away food, stamping students’ hands or making them work off debt with “chores.”

From Salon

There are no kicks or takedowns to worry about but the stance is different and working off a consistent jab is a challenge for every MMA fighter.

From BBC

Boy Kavalier forces Hermit to become his employee in exchange for remaining with his sister, and so he can work off the cost of an artificial lung Prodigy put inside him to save his life.

From Salon

"She was full of confidence and you could see that the way she worked off her wing."

From BBC