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Meaning & use

party in the office

noun, phrase·Everyday

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UK/ˌpɑːti ɪn ði ˈɒfɪs/
US/ˌpɑːrti ɪn ði ˈɔːfɪs/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A social event with food, drinks, and music held inside a workplace.

    Grammar: Takes 'a' and a plural: a party in the office, parties in the office.

    Patterns

    • have a party in the office
    • a party in the office for someone
    • go to a party in the office

    We're having a small party in the office for Maria before she moves to the Chicago branch.

    There was a party in the office last Friday, so the whole floor was noisy until late.

    He doesn't usually enjoy parties in the office, but this one was actually fun.

  2. phrasefixed phraseinformal

    Used to describe celebrating at work, often for a birthday, holiday, or someone leaving.

    Grammar: The phrase names the place of the celebration; 'in the office' can be replaced by 'at the office' with almost no change in meaning.

    Patterns

    • a party in the office
    • at a party in the office

    They organized a surprise party in the office when the manager returned from leave.

    I only found out about the party in the office when I saw the balloons.

Word forms

pluralparties in the office

Common combinations

have a party in the office
We usually have a party in the office at the end of the year.
a small party in the office
They threw a small party in the office for his retirement.
a surprise party in the office
Her team planned a surprise party in the office.
a holiday party in the office
The holiday party in the office starts at six.
go to a party in the office
I can't go to the party in the office because I have a class.

Synonyms and how they differ

office party
The usual compound noun for this event; use it when the party is a regular or official workplace event rather than just a description of where it happens.
work party
Common in British English for a social event with colleagues; in American English it can also mean a group doing physical work, so context matters.
gathering
A more general, slightly formal word for people meeting socially; it does not suggest music or celebration as strongly.

Word family

party noun
A social event where people eat, drink, and enjoy themselves.
party verb
Informal: to enjoy yourself at a party or celebration.
partygoer noun
A person who attends a party.

Commonly confused: party in the office or office party?

party in the office vs office party

Both are correct, but 'office party' is the standard compound noun and sounds more natural in most sentences: 'the office party is on Friday'. 'A party in the office' emphasizes the location.

Practice

Which sentence is the most natural way to talk about a workplace celebration?

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