active duty
the status of full-time service: on active duty.
- Also called active service.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use active duty in a sentence
The friars thought they could improve their usefulness by mixing with mankind and helping them by active duties.
Curiosities of Christian History | Croake JamesBut those days were passed soon, and they passed the sooner when the men went into active duties.
Speeches of Benjamin Harrison | Benjamin HarrisonShe hesitated for some time, lest her active duties in the church should conflict with the cares of a home of her own.
Lives of Girls Who Became Famous | Sarah Knowles BoltonThe chairman has few active duties, but the position requires judgment in appointing committees, and tact in conducting meetings.
The Library and Society | VariousAs soon as I have entered upon the active duties of the station, I shall again write to Andover.
The Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Volume I (of 2) | Hazard Stevens
Other Idioms and Phrases with active duty
Full-time service, as in Julian is 81, but he still comes to the office every day and is very much on active duty. This term comes from the military, where it stands in opposition to reserve, which refers to troops still in the military but not actively engaged. It is occasionally transferred to civilian matters as well. [First half of 1800s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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