20 Time-Off Expressions in English: Useful Workplace Vocabulary

In both professional and everyday communication, we often need to talk about taking time away from work. People may take time off because they are ill, going on holiday, caring for family members, or simply needing a break. English has many expressions that describe these situations, and understanding them will help you communicate more naturally in workplace conversations and daily life. In this lesson, you will learn 20 common time-off expressions in English, together with clear meanings and example sentences. These phrases are useful for anyone working in an English-speaking environment or preparing for exams such as B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE).

Let’s explore them.

Take Time Off

Meaning: to be absent from work for a period of time.

• I’m going to take a few days off to visit my parents.
• She decided to take some time off after finishing the project.

Take a Vacation

Meaning: to take time away from work to travel or relax.

• I’m taking a vacation next month. We’re going to Greece.
• After a stressful year, he decided to take a long vacation.

Take a Sabbatical

Meaning: to take an extended break from work to study, research, or travel.

• He’s on sabbatical while completing his MBA.
• She plans to take a sabbatical and travel around Asia.

Take Unpaid Leave

Meaning: to be absent from work without receiving a salary.

• She took unpaid leave while moving house.
• Some employees take unpaid leave for personal reasons.

Be Off Sick

Meaning: to stay away from work because of illness.

• Sarah is off sick today because she has the flu.
• Several employees were off sick last week.

Sick Leave

Meaning: authorised time away from work due to illness.

• She will be on sick leave for two months after surgery.
• Employees are entitled to several days of sick leave each year.

Maternity Leave

Meaning: time off work before and after giving birth.

• Her maternity leave finishes next week.
• She plans to return to work after her maternity leave.

Parental Leave

Meaning: time off work to care for a newborn baby.

• Thomas took parental leave to look after the baby.
• Many countries allow both parents to take parental leave.

Sick Pay

Meaning: money paid by a company to employees who cannot work due to illness.

• If you are ill for several days, you may receive sick pay.
• The company provides full sick pay for the first two weeks.

Public Holiday

Meaning: a national holiday when most businesses and offices are closed.

• January 1st is a public holiday in many countries.
• We have 25 paid holidays plus 10 public holidays each year.

Annual Leave

Meaning: paid holiday time that employees are entitled to each year.

• I’m saving my annual leave for a trip to Japan.
• She used most of her annual leave during the summer.

Take a Day Off

Meaning: to take a single day away from work.

• I’m taking a day off tomorrow to relax.
• He took a day off to attend a family event.

Personal Leave

Meaning: time off for personal matters.

• She requested personal leave to deal with family issues.
• Employees may take personal leave in emergency situations.

Compassionate Leave

Meaning: time off work after the death or serious illness of a family member.

• He took compassionate leave after his father passed away.
• The company granted her compassionate leave.

Take a Break

Meaning: to pause work for a short rest.

• Let’s take a break after finishing this task.
• She stepped outside to take a short break.

Extended Leave

Meaning: a long period away from work.

• He took extended leave to recover from an injury.
• The manager approved her extended leave request.

Leave of Absence

Meaning: formal permission to be absent from work for a period of time.

• She requested a leave of absence for six months.
• The company granted him a leave of absence.

Bank Holiday (British English)

Meaning: a public holiday when banks and many businesses are closed.

• Offices are closed on bank holidays in the UK.
• We’re planning a trip during the bank holiday weekend.

Take Time Off Work

Meaning: to temporarily stop working.

• He decided to take time off work to recover from stress.
• She took time off work after her surgery.

Paid Leave

Meaning: time away from work during which employees still receive their salary.

• Many companies offer paid leave for training or study.
• Employees are entitled to paid leave each year.

Final Thoughts

Understanding time-off expressions in English is extremely useful, especially if you work in an international environment. These phrases are commonly used in workplaces, emails, and everyday conversations.

Learning them will help you talk about holidays, illness, family responsibilities, and workplace policies more confidently and naturally.

Try using some of these expressions in your own sentences to make them part of your active vocabulary.