book off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal (in workplace contexts), slightly formal in HR/administrative usage.
Quick answer
What does “book off” mean?
To formally request and secure a period of leave from work.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To formally request and secure a period of leave from work.
To reserve or schedule a period of time for a specific purpose, typically to ensure one is not available for other commitments. Can also imply the act of noting something as unavailable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Common in UK/Commonwealth workplace English. In American English, 'request time off', 'put in for vacation', or 'schedule PTO' are more typical. 'Book off' is understood but less frequently used in the US.
Connotations
In the UK, it's a standard, neutral workplace term. In the US, it might sound slightly British or corporate-jargon.
Frequency
High frequency in UK workplace vernacular; low-to-medium in US, mostly in multinational companies.
Grammar
How to Use “book off” in a Sentence
[Subject] book off [Object: time period][Subject] book [Object: time period] offVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “book off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I must book off the last week of July for my holiday.
- She's booked off next Friday for a hospital visit.
- Have you booked your annual leave off yet?
American English
- I need to request that week off for my cousin's wedding.
- She put in to book off the day after Thanksgiving.
- He booked the whole month of August off for travel.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Not standard usage)
American English
- N/A (Not standard usage)
adjective
British English
- He's a booked-off employee for that period.
- The booked-off time will not be paid unless it's vacation.
American English
- That day is officially booked-off on the team calendar.
- Her status shows as 'booked-off' in the system.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR policies and team planning meetings: 'Ensure you book off your holiday by the deadline.'
Academic
Rare. Possibly used by administrative staff, not typically in scholarly discourse.
Everyday
Common in conversations among coworkers: 'I need to book off the 15th for my daughter's play.'
Technical
Used in workforce management software: 'The system allows you to book off shifts.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “book off”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “book off”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “book off”
- Using it without an object: 'I need to book off.' (Incorrect; requires 'a day', 'time', etc.)
- Confusing with 'write off' (to dismiss as a loss).
- Using 'book off' for making an appointment (use 'book' or 'schedule').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'book a day off' or 'book off a day'.
Yes, it's common to say 'I need to book off an hour for a doctor's appointment', though 'book time off for...' is more precise.
'Book off' is planned in advance (for vacation, appointments). 'Call in sick' is for unplanned, same-day illness absences.
In many workplaces, 'booked off' is an informal way to describe someone who has scheduled leave. HR systems may use more formal terms like 'on scheduled leave'.
To formally request and secure a period of leave from work.
Book off is usually informal (in workplace contexts), slightly formal in hr/administrative usage. in register.
Book off: in British English it is pronounced /bʊk ɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /bʊk ɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Booked off (adj.): e.g., 'I'm booked off next week.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine writing your name in a book (a leave book) to take yourself OFF the schedule.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE that can be reserved or checked out (like a library book). WORK SCHEDULE IS A LIST from which you can remove yourself.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'book off' MOST appropriately used?