Request Time Off: Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：take time off (Request time off)

Request time off 🔊

/rɪˈkwest taɪm ɒf/

v. phr.

To ask for permission to be away from work or school for a period of time.

Employee requesting time off via email to boss for family event

take time off 🔊

➕

/teɪk taɪm ɒf/

v. phr.

To formally ask for permission to be absent from work or school for a specific period.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Request' from Latin 'requaerere' (to seek), 'time off' means a period of absence from work or school.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'quest' for free time: you need to request it to get time off.

📖 Example

Tom needs to request time off next month to help his family move to a new house. 🔊 Tom needs to request time off next month to help his family move to a new house.

🔗 Collocations

request time off from work – to ask your employer for permission to be absent from your job

submit a time-off request – to formally hand in a written request for time off

approve time off – to grant permission for the requested absence

🔄 Synonyms

take a leave of absence (v. phr.) – to take an extended break from work, often for personal or medical reasons

ask for a day off (v. phr.) – to request a single day of absence from work or school

request a vacation (v. phr.) – to ask for a period of time off for leisure or travel

🚫 Antonyms

refuse time off (v. phr.) – to deny a request for absence from work or school

deny a leave request (v. phr.) – to reject a formal request for time off

cancel time off (v. phr.) – to withdraw previously approved time off

🌱 Derivatives

time-off (n.) – a period of absence from work or school

leave request (n.) – a formal application for time off

vacation request (n.) – a request for a holiday period

📖 Cultural Story

In modern corporate culture, requesting time off is a formal process managed through HR systems. The phrase became common with paid leave policies in the 20th century.