leave off work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave off work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to stopping or ceasing work, often in the context of taking a break or finishing a task for the day. Example: "I decided to leave off work early today to enjoy the beautiful weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The traditional tea break's disappeared – people might leave off work for a bit, but then just sit and stare at their phones – so we wanted to try something different".

The Guardian

Pratt claims to have been bullied by a senior manager in a former job for two and a half years: "He took it upon himself to belittle and publicly humiliate me, to the point where I had to take leave off work and suffered a breakdown".

The Guardian

It seems like a very Swedish thing to do what with the Swedish government handing out Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's We Should All Be Feminists to every 16-year-old in the land, and encouraging Swedish dads to take 90 days of paid leave off work for every baby they make.

Vice

It's 7am on a Friday morning just after Christmas, and I'm returning to school following three days of sick leave off work.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In a letter to a close friend just before she died, she wrote, "I cannot keep my eyes open, not for anything — should the doctor advise that I should leave off working, then I shall die; and directly".

The New Yorker

We never left off work in order to speak or listen to her — she simply came over to us and quite naturally began to help with whatever we were doing, all while talking away, telling some story.

The New Yorker

The MoEF picked up where the REDD+ Agency left off, working with the Australian government and the Center for International Forestry Research CIFORR) to scale the province of Central Kalimantan's REDD+ pilot program up into what is now INCAS.

HuffPost

Leave Off Your Work at a Starting Point.

Huffington Post

In addition to this, none of them enjoyed paid leave off from work.

Unicef

I left off detective work and took the long way home.

The New Yorker

And it is just when he comes closest to "painting" with his burin, the candlelight reflected in the faces of the "Adoring Shepherds," that he abruptly leaves off the work, as if defeated by the futility of the translation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave off work", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the cessation is temporary (e.g., for a break, the day) or more permanent (e.g., due to illness or resignation).

Common error

Avoid using "leave off work" when referring to specific types of leave, such as maternity leave or sick leave. Use more precise terms like "take maternity leave" or "go on sick leave" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave off work" functions as a verb phrase indicating the cessation of work. It describes the action of stopping or pausing one's work activities. Ludwig shows several examples where individuals "leave off work" due to various reasons, such as illness or planned breaks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Academia

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave off work" signifies the action of ceasing work, whether temporarily or for an extended period. While grammatically correct and understandable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's essential to consider the context to convey the intended meaning accurately. Alternatives such as "take time off work" or "stop working" may be more appropriate depending on the specific situation. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and business-related materials. While “leave off work” may not be the most prevalent phrase, it is a valid option for expressing the cessation of work activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take time off work

Focuses on the aspect of taking a break, emphasizing the duration of the absence.

stop working

A more general term for ceasing work, without necessarily implying a temporary break.

take a break from work

Highlights the temporary nature of stopping work, suggesting a pause for rest or relaxation.

be absent from work

Emphasizes the state of being away from work, often due to illness or other reasons.

step away from work

Suggests a temporary separation from work to gain perspective or recharge.

discontinue working

A formal way to express ceasing work, often implying a more permanent end.

suspend work

Implies a temporary halt to work, often with the intention of resuming later.

cease working

A formal term for stopping work, similar to "discontinue working".

relinquish work

Suggests giving up work, often due to retirement or other commitments.

take a sabbatical

Specifically refers to a longer period of leave, often for study or travel.

FAQs

What does "leave off work" mean?

The phrase "leave off work" means to stop working, usually temporarily, such as taking a break or finishing for the day. It implies a cessation of work activities.

What can I say instead of "leave off work"?

You can use alternatives like "take time off work", "stop working", or "take a break from work" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "leave off work"?

Yes, "leave off work" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase in English, although it is not as common as some of its alternatives. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

How is "leave off work" different from "take leave from work"?

"Leave off work" generally implies a temporary stop to work, while "take leave from work" suggests a longer, more formal absence such as sick leave or vacation. They are not directly interchangeable.