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on duty

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on duty

at work; currently doing one's work. (The opposite of off duty.) I can't help you now, but I'll be on duty in about an hour. Who is on duty here? I need some help.

See also: duty, on

on duty

working A physical therapist is on duty in the fitness center from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. He didn't have time to talk about it right then because he was on duty for another three hours.

Usage notes: usually said about soldiers, police, medical workers, and people who work a scheduled period of time

See also: duty, on

on duty

At one's post, at work, as in The new nurse was on duty that evening, or The watchman was fired because he was drunk on duty. [Mid-1600s] The antonym, off duty, means "not engaged in one's work," as in Captain Smith was much more amiable when he was off duty. [Mid-1800s]

See also: duty, on

on duty

Engaged in or responsible for assigned work.

See also: duty, on