book off
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To officially ask your boss or company if you can have a day (or more) off work, and get it confirmed.
Literal meaning: To record in a book (official register) that you will be 'off' — referencing the old practice of signing a leave register.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To formally arrange and have approved a period of absence from work.
"She booked off two weeks in August to go travelling with her family."
Grammar: separable
2 B2 neutral
To cancel an existing booking or reservation.
"The client called to book off the appointment they had scheduled for Monday."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common in British and Irish English workplace contexts. The object is typically a block of time: a day, a week, annual leave, etc. Implies a formal or semi-formal approval process. Also used in some contexts to mean cancelling a booking, though that sense is less common.
Commonly used with
day week holiday leave time afternoon
Forms
Base
book off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
books off
he/she/it
Past simple
booked off
yesterday
Past participle
booked off
have + pp
-ing form
booking off
continuous
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