skive off

USAGE SUMMARY

"skive off" is a correct phrase in written English.
It means to leave a place without permission, usually in order to avoid something. For example, "The students decided to skive off school and go to the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

So I began to skive off to do pub theatre.

The Guardian - Film

When I was older I would skive off school and work in the markets.

Independent

Why?Mr Webb "used to skive off school at 11½ and work on my uncle's farm".

The Economist

I could skive off down the pub but I'm not sure they'll show both.

The Guardian - Sport

Give more people who can't skive off work during the week the chance to attend.

The Guardian - Sport

"Let's forget about the excuses to skive off and sip a few beers please," he rumbles.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

I was soon skiving off most days, and always on the brink of being expelled.

Independent

The show kicked off on a positive note with Kerrianne Covelll skiving off work to take part on the show.

Independent

She remembered "skiving off" with Kennedy during a trip to Australia in the mid-90s to watch the film Trainspotting.

The Guardian

Over the last couple of months rockpaparazzi.blogspot.com has been helping us master the art of skiving off work.

The Guardian - Music

Perhaps the culprit was skiving off the wedding of a despised but vengeful cousin when he posted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "skive off" in informal contexts or when addressing a British audience, as it is more commonly used in British English. Be aware of the context and audience as it may not be universally understood.

Common error

Avoid using "skive off" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more professional alternatives like 'absent oneself' or 'neglect duties'.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "skive off" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of avoiding a responsibility or duty. Ludwig examples show it is used to describe avoiding school, work, or other obligations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "skive off" is a phrasal verb primarily used in British English to describe the act of avoiding responsibilities, such as school or work. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and accepted phrase. While common in informal contexts like news articles and blogs, as shown in the Ludwig examples, it's generally unsuitable for formal or professional writing. Alternatives like "play truant" or "skip work" might be more appropriate depending on the situation. The term carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of responsibility or a deliberate avoidance of duty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

play truant

Specifically refers to absenting oneself from school without permission.

go AWOL

Implies desertion, often in a military context but usable in other scenarios where a person is expected somewhere.

slack off

Indicates a reduction in effort or diligence, a slighter semantic divergence from a total absence.

dog it

Similar to slacking off, but more informal.

goof off

Suggests wasting time instead of working or studying.

shirk responsibility

Highlights the avoidance of duties and obligations.

ditch class

Specifically refers to skipping a class or lesson.

cut classes

An alternative way of saying 'ditch class'.

skip work

Refers to missing work obligations, more generally.

take a powder

Informal term for leaving abruptly, potentially to avoid something.

FAQs

What does "skive off" mean?

"Skive off" means to avoid work or school by staying away without permission. It's commonly used to describe someone playing truant or shirking their responsibilities.

How can I use "skive off" in a sentence?

You might say, "The students decided to "play truant" and "skive off" school to go to the beach," or, "He was caught "skiving off" work to watch the football game."

What are some alternatives to "skive off"?

Instead of "skive off", you could use phrases like "play truant", "slack off", or "skip work" depending on the specific context.

Is "skive off" formal or informal?

"Skive off" is considered an informal term, primarily used in British English. It's best to avoid using it in formal or professional settings, opting instead for more neutral alternatives.