out of the office

Meaning

This phrase means that a person is not physically present at their workplace, usually because they are traveling, on vacation, or attending an external meeting. It is very common in professional email auto-responders (often abbreviated as OOO).

Examples

• I will be out of the office until next Monday with limited access to email.

  I will be out of the office until next Monday with limited access to email.

• Please contact Sarah if you need immediate help while I am out of the office.

  Please contact Sarah if you need immediate help while I am out of the office.

• He had to step out of the office for a quick client meeting down the street.

  He had to step out of the office for a quick client meeting down the street.

• I forgot to set my out of the office automatic email reply before I left.

  I forgot to set my out of the office automatic email reply before I left.

• She is out of the office today attending an industry conference.

  She is out of the office today attending an industry conference.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am out of office today.

  ✓ I am out of the office today.

  While 'out of office' is acceptable as an adjective phrase (e.g., 'an out-of-office reply'), when describing your status, you should include the article 'the'.

• ✗ She is outside the office for vacation.

  ✓ She is out of the office on vacation.

  'Outside the office' means physically standing just outside the building. To say someone is not working or is away from work, use 'out of the office'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you need urgent assistance, please note that John is ___ today.

  💡 Not present at work.

  Show answer

  out of the office

• Don't forget to set your ___ email responder before you go on vacation.

  💡 Phrase used for automatic away messages.

  Show answer

  out of the office