Phrasal verbs "be off" vs "have off"

Differences between be off and have off

Be off means to leave or depart from a place, while have off means to have a day off or time away from work or school.

Meanings and Definitions: be off vs have off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Be off

  • 1Be bad ( of food ).

    This yoghurt must BE OFF; it smells foul.

  • 2Depart, leave.

    I'm OFF home; it's five o'clock.

Have off

  • 1Take time off work.

    I HAD a couple of days OFF last week to relax.

Usage Examples: be off, have off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

be off

Example

I am off to the store to buy some groceries.

Example

She is off to her friend's house for a sleepover.

have off

Example

I have off on Fridays.

Example

She has off on weekends.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be off

To leave or depart from a place.

Example

I need to take off now if I want to catch the last train home.

To leave or start moving towards a destination.

Example

We should get going if we want to arrive at the concert on time.

hit the road

To leave or start a journey.

Example

It's getting late, so we should hit the road if we want to make it to the beach before sunset.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Have off

To rest or take time away from work or an activity.

Example

I'm feeling exhausted, so I'm going to take a break and go for a walk outside.

To have a day off or time to oneself away from work or responsibilities.

Example

After a busy week, it's nice to have a day to oneself and relax at home.

To have time to relax and do leisure activities.

Example

During the weekend, I like to enjoy some downtime and catch up on my favorite TV shows.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “be”

Phrasal Verbs with “off”

Differences in be off vs have off: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: be off or have off?

In daily conversation, people use be off more often than have off. This is because be off is used for more common situations such as leaving a party or ending a phone call. Have off is less common and is only used when talking about taking time off from work or school.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of be off and have off

Be off and have off are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of be off and have off

The tone of be off and have off can differ based on context. Be off often carries a sense of urgency or excitement when related to leaving a place, while have off typically has a relaxed and happy tone, especially when referring to taking time off from work or school.

be off & have off: Synonyms and Antonyms

Be off

Synonyms

Antonyms

Have off

Synonyms

  • take time off
  • be off
  • be on leave
  • be on vacation
  • be on holiday
  • be free
  • be absent

Antonyms

  • work
  • be on duty
  • be at work
  • be present
  • be in attendance

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