# duck off

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/duck-off
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to leave a place quickly or quietly, often to do something else for a short time. You use this when you want to slip away without a big goodbye.

For teachers: to depart a location abruptly or discreetly, often for a brief period or to avoid further engagement. The verb is intransitive in this sense and is frequently used to describe a temporary absence.

## Examples

- I'll duck off for five minutes to grab a coffee.
- He had to duck off from the party early to catch the last train home.
- While the committee continued its deliberations, the chairman managed to duck off for a private consultation with his legal advisors.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I need to duck off the office." but "I need to duck off from the office." — The phrase is intransitive, so you cannot place the location immediately after 'off' without a preposition like 'from'.

## Usage notes

- Usually used without a direct object to describe the act of leaving.
- Teaching tip: Common in British and Australian English, this phrase is a casual way to say 'leave' and sometimes acts as a mild euphemism for a stronger swear word.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.