out of work

Idioms and Phrases

Unemployed; also, having no work to do. For example, He lost his job a year ago and has been out of work ever since , or They don't give her enough assignments—she's always out of work . Shakespeare used this expression in Henry V (1:2): “All out of work and cold for action.”

Example Sentences

Out-of-work Americans received some startling news via their New York Times iPhone app last Sunday.

From The Daily Beast

There are plenty of out-of-work teachers in the camp, so the school provides them a small salary to work.

From The Daily Beast

Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther who was then an out-of-work journalist driving a cab, watched from across the street.

From The Daily Beast

Sondra Wiener, forced to make pocket money like an out-of-work laborer, endures the pity of her neighbors.

From The Daily Beast

Though neatly turned out, he looked a little like an out-of-work bookkeeper.

From Project Gutenberg

Once a week they receive their out-of-work pay; every alternate day they have to visit the Exchange to see what jobs are vacant.

From Project Gutenberg

Tacoma offered no privileges for the destitute out-of-work man.

From Project Gutenberg

It would at least keep two hundred thousand out-of-work miners from actual starvation for a year.

From Project Gutenberg

In London alone, between four and five thousand out-of-work gas employs were drawing Government pay.

From Project Gutenberg