Meaning & use
taking some time off
Last updated
Meaning
phraseidiom
spending a period not working, usually to rest or do something else
Grammar: Often used after 'is', 'was', or 'consider': She is taking some time off.
Patterns
- taking some time off
- taking some time off from something
- taking some time off to do something
He is taking some time off from work to travel.
Taking some time off can help you avoid burnout.
She's taking some time off to be with her family.
Common combinations
- taking some time off work
- Taking some time off work helped him recover.
- taking some time off from
- She is taking some time off from her studies.
- taking some time off to
- They are taking some time off to relax.
- consider taking some time off
- You should consider taking some time off.
Synonyms and how they differ
- taking a break
- More informal and often shorter; 'taking some time off' usually suggests a longer period.
- taking a leave of absence
- More formal and often official, used for jobs or school.
Opposites
Commonly confused: taking some time off or time off?
taking some time off vs time off
'Time off' is a noun phrase meaning a period of rest; 'taking some time off' is the action of using that time.
Practice
After working for ten years without a break, she decided she was ______.
Choose one answer.
'Taking some time off' is the correct phrase for resting from work. 'Taking some time out' can mean the same, but 'taking some time off' is more common in this context.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “taking some time off”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.