on leave

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Away from work or duty for an approved period, such as for a holiday, family reasons or illness.

   Grammar: Used after be, go or take, with no article: she is on leave this week.

   Patterns

   • be on leave
   • go on leave

   Mr. Cole is on leave until the end of the month.

   She went on leave to care for her father.

   I'm on leave next week, so please email my colleague.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasemilitary

   Allowed to be away from military service for a short period.

   Grammar: Used about soldiers and sailors: the soldier is home on leave.

   Patterns

   • be home on leave
   • come back on leave

   My brother is home on leave for two weeks.

   The sailors were on leave in Lisbon.

   He was on leave when the orders came.

Common combinations

on leave until

She is on leave until March.

on paid leave

He was placed on paid leave during the investigation.

on sick leave

My manager is on sick leave.

on extended leave

The professor is on extended leave this year.

on annual leave

Most of the staff are on annual leave in August.

Synonyms and how they differ

on vacation

On vacation, the American term, means away for rest or travel, whereas on leave can also cover illness, family or official absence.

on holiday

On holiday is the British phrase for a vacation and does not cover other reasons for leave.

away

Away is vaguer, and it does not say whether the absence is approved time off.

off duty

Off duty means not working at the moment, whereas on leave means absent for longer.

Opposites

Word family

leave noun

time away from work that is officially allowed

leave of absence noun

a formal period of approved absence

maternity leave noun

leave around the birth of a child

sick leave noun

leave because of illness

Commonly confused: on leave or off sick?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “on leave”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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