1 C1 idiomatic informal
To withdraw from a sporting or physical activity due to injury or illness, sometimes implying the excuse is exaggerated.
"He crocked off training again with his so-called bad knee."
inseparable
crock off
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
Chiefly British and Australian: to avoid work, sport, or duty by claiming or using injury or illness as an excuse.
In plain English
To get out of doing something, like sports or work, by saying or pretending you are hurt or sick.
What does "crock off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To avoid work or duty by citing physical incapacity.
"She crocked off the night shift claiming her back was playing up again."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
A 'crock' is British/Australian slang for someone who is injured or in poor physical condition; to 'crock off' means to leave because you are a crock.
Actually means
To get out of doing something, like sports or work, by saying or pretending you are hurt or sick.
Usage tip
Common in British and Australian sports and military contexts. Often implies the injury or illness is genuine but sometimes suggests exaggeration. Derived from 'crock', meaning a broken-down or injured person. Rarely used in formal writing.
Words that pair with "crock off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
training match duty work game shift
How to conjugate "crock off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
crock off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
crocks off
he/she/it
Past simple
crocked off
yesterday
Past participle
crocked off
have + pp
-ing form
crocking off
continuous
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