off duty

off duty

Officially not in the capacity of working during one's normal working day or assigned hours; not on duty. Typically used of doctors, nurses, and police officers. Often hyphenated. Sorry, I'm off duty. You should ask someone at reception. An off-duty police officer leapt into action and managed to apprehend the criminal.
See also: duty, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

off duty

not working at one's job. (The opposite of on duty.) I'm sorry, I can't talk to you until I'm off duty. The police officer couldn't help me because he was off duty.
See also: duty, off
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

off duty

see under on duty.
See also: duty, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

on/off ˈduty

(of nurses, police officers, etc.) working/not working at a particular time: Who’s on duty today? What time do you go off duty?
See also: duty, off, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

off duty

Not engaged in or responsible for assigned work.
See also: duty, off
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • on/off duty
  • on duty
  • overtime
  • be working overtime
  • working
  • get on the stick
  • fringe
  • fringe benefit
  • on (one's) own time
  • on own time
References in periodicals archive
The administration also is proposing to allow drivers to "pause" the 14-hour driving window for an off-duty break of up to three hours, provided the trucker still takes the 10 consecutive hours off duty at the end of the work shift.
"Amazing bystander#CPRby two off duty nurses from@NHSHomertonalongside members of public saved this gent's life.
"The officer has, whilst off duty and on a night out with colleagues, taken a member of the public's phone during a disagreement over a bill.
Detail Kommander is the first software to bring Off Duty and Extra Duty management into the 21st century.
The off duty officer also took a selfie with Sister Margaret Ann.
French police officers will be allowed to carry their weapon while off duty to protect civilians as long as France maintains the state of emergency following the Paris shootings, police said on Thursday.
The man is understood to be an officer with the Cleveland force and had been visiting the island while off duty. He is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital in Newcastle.
"And we just want to continue working with them and being appreciative of their efforts -- whether it be off duty or on duty."
Therefore, most military professionals would provide the short answer: "No, we are never really off duty."
It was alleged the suspect sexually assaulted a woman when he was off duty. The suspect, a rank-and-file member of the force, was officially relieved of his duties by Garda chief Martin Callinan following his arrest.
Newcastle Chief Insp Julian Bowren said: "The off duty officer showed extreme bravery in his actions and prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating.
They Tweeted: "Off duty officers dressed in zebra & monkey onesies arrest a violent man in the street - @ SolihullPolice keeping you safe whatever it takes.
The ability to find and identify a threat in reduced light is no less important because you're off duty, so a compact, powerful light needs to be part of your gear.
He checked with Florida Highway Patrol to confirm that the Glock 38 had, indeed, been added to the approved list for their personnel to wear off duty.
Summary: A Spanish man has an off duty policeman to thank after he was saved from the path of an oncoming train.