work off
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To get rid of something (like stress or a debt) by working or exercising.
Literal meaning: To work until something is 'off' or removed — the 'off' signals reduction to zero.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To use physical exercise or activity to eliminate excess calories, energy, or negative emotions.
"He went for a long run to work off the stress from his difficult meeting."
Grammar: separable
2 B2 neutral
To repay a debt through work or services rather than money.
"He worked off his rent by helping the landlord renovate the building."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Commonly used with food/calories ('work off a meal'), negative emotions ('work off frustration'), and debts ('work off a loan'). In the debt sense, it implies that payment is made through labour rather than money. Very natural in everyday spoken English.
Commonly used with
calories stress anger debt energy meal tension
Forms
Base
work off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
works off
he/she/it
Past simple
worked off
yesterday
Past participle
worked off
have + pp
-ing form
working off
continuous
Understand "work off" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "work off" on Looplines