off on holiday

USAGE SUMMARY

"off on holiday" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is leaving to go on vacation or embarking on a trip. Example sentence: "John is packing his bags and will soon be off on holiday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They like the idea of a modern energetic president, but not one who jets off on holiday as they struggle to make ends meet, having awarded himself a big pay rise.

The Economist

Off on holiday?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Then we can go off on holiday.

The Guardian - Sport

Off on holiday now – to Sark.

The Guardian - Books

Nick Robinson is off on holiday this week.

The Guardian

So Pitarch toddled off on holiday to escape.

The Guardian - Sport

I remember that feeling of heading off on holiday and adventure.

Independent

Instead, the Giants played as if they had headed off on holiday early.

The New York Times - Sports

So, if you struggle to switch off on holiday I have a few suggestions.

Independent

A key consumer confidence indicator is how many of us are jetting off on holiday.

Independent

I was once on a flight to Morocco, off on holiday.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "off on holiday" to describe someone who is departing for a vacation. It is common in British English.

Common error

Ensure you're using "holiday" to refer to a vacation or break, not a religious observance. "Holy day" is used for religious events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off on holiday" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, describing a state of departure or readiness for a vacation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "off on holiday" is a common and grammatically sound phrase, predominantly used in British English, to describe someone who is leaving or has left for a vacation. As Ludwig AI validates, this phrase is widely used across numerous reputable sources, particularly in the "News & Media" context. While its register is generally neutral to informal, it effectively serves the purpose of communicating a departure for leisure. Alternative phrases include "going on vacation" or "leaving for a trip", but "off on holiday" remains a readily understandable and acceptable expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jetting off on vacation

Similar, but specifies air travel and implies a more luxurious trip.

going on vacation

Focuses on the activity of vacationing rather than the departure.

departing for vacation

More formal way of saying leaving for a holiday.

leaving for a trip

General term indicating departure for any kind of trip, not specifically a holiday.

escaping on holiday

Suggests the holiday is a means of escaping from something.

heading out for a break

Indicates a temporary pause from routine, such as work or school.

disappearing on vacation

Implies a sudden or secretive departure.

taking a holiday

Emphasizes the act of observing a holiday, which can be either going to a place or staying home.

going away for the holidays

Implies a holiday season related departure.

setting off on a journey

A more formal and old-fashioned expression.

FAQs

How can I use "off on holiday" in a sentence?

You can use "off on holiday" to indicate someone is leaving for a vacation. For example: "She's packing her bags; she's "off on holiday" next week".

What's a similar phrase to "off on holiday"?

Similar phrases include "going on vacation", "leaving for a trip", or "departing for vacation", which all indicate someone is beginning a journey for leisure.

Is "off on holiday" formal or informal?

"Off on holiday" is generally considered informal and is frequently used in casual conversation or writing. More formal alternatives might include "commencing a leave of absence" or "departing for vacation".

Is "off on holiday" more common in certain dialects of English?

Yes, the phrase "off on holiday" is more commonly used in British English. American English speakers are more likely to say "going on vacation".