on duty

on duty — idiom

1. at work and responsible for carrying out your regular duties, especially during

1.慣用語B1
釋義

at work and responsible for carrying out your regular duties, especially during a scheduled period of time

例句

The security guard on duty asked Andrew to show his ID card.

Rania was on duty at the hospital when the accident victims arrived.

be on duty at [place or location]

同義詞
  • on shift

    more common in British English; refers specifically to a scheduled work period

  • working

    broader term; does not imply the special responsibility that on duty carries

  • on call

    means available to be summoned, not necessarily physically at the workplace

反義詞
  • off duty

    not currently working or responsible for assigned tasks

用法筆記

Opposite of off duty. Used most often for jobs with rotating shifts, such as police officers, nurses, security guards, and soldiers. Being on duty means you are the person currently responsible — not just physically present.

常見錯誤

❌I am on duty at the office every day from nine to five.
✅I work at the office from nine to five.
💡on duty is used for jobs with clear shifts or watch responsibilities, not a regular office schedule.