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[0653] Between jobs

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A euphemism for being unemployed or jobless.
  • It implies a temporary state between one period of employment and the next, sounding more optimistic and less negative than unemployed.

Origin

  • Likely emerged in the latter half of the 20th century as a more socially acceptable or face-saving way to describe unemployment.
  • Frames unemployment as a transitional phase rather than a static condition.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Unemployed / Jobless (more direct, can sound negative)
  • Out of work
  • Looking for work / Job hunting / On the job market
  • Taking some time off (implies choice, may or may not be accurate)
  • Funemployed (informal, implies enjoying the time off, often temporary)
  • Pursuing other opportunities (corporate speak, often used when leaving a job)

Alternatives

Direct:

  • Unemployed
  • Jobless
  • Out of work

Active Stance:

  • Looking for work / Seeking employment
  • Job hunting / Job searching
  • On the market

Informal/Slang:

  • On the dole (UK/Aus specifically implies receiving unemployment benefits, can be derogatory)
  • Funemployed

Corporate/Evasive:

  • Pursuing new opportunities
  • Exploring options
  • Taking a sabbatical (usually implies a planned break from a current job, but sometimes used loosely)
  • Consulting / Freelancing (if doing occasional work)

Situational Appropriateness

  • Appropriate in most informal and semi-formal social situations (networking events, meeting new people, catching up with acquaintances).
  • It's a polite way to state unemployment without dwelling on negativity.
  • Might sound slightly evasive in very formal contexts or official forms where unemployed is required.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Generally clearly understood as meaning unemployed. The implication is temporary, but the reality might be longer-term unemployment.

Examples

  • What are you doing now? I'm actually between jobs at the moment.
  • He's been between jobs for a few months but is actively looking.
  • She took some time off between jobs to travel.

Dialogue

Chris: Hey Alex, haven't seen you around the office lately. Did you switch departments?

Alex: Oh, hey Chris. No, I actually left the company last month. I'm between jobs right now.

Chris: Oh, okay. Taking a bit of a break or looking for something new?

Alex: Actively looking. Hoping to find something in marketing soon.

Social Media Examples

  • LinkedIn headline: Marketing professional currently between jobs and seeking new opportunities in the digital space. #OpenToWork #Marketing
  • Facebook update: Taking a few weeks off between jobs to recharge before starting the next chapter! #CareerBreak #Travel
  • Tweet: Networking tip: When someone says they're 'between jobs,' offer help or connections if you can. It's a tough spot. #JobSearch #Networking

Response Patterns

  • Understanding nod, Okay., I see.
  • Polite interest: Oh? What kind of work are you looking for?
  • Encouragement: Well, I hope you find something soon.
  • Offering help (if appropriate): Let me know if I can help with contacts or anything.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • What field are you looking in?
  • How's the job search going?
  • Are you taking a break or actively searching?
  • Offering networking assistance or job leads.
  • Changing the subject politely if the person seems uncomfortable.

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's typically a response to questions like What do you do? or How's work going?.

Intonation

  • Usually spoken in a neutral or slightly upbeat, casual tone.
  • Can sometimes carry a hint of awkwardness if the speaker feels sensitive about their situation. Stress often on between.

Generation Differences

  • Widely used and understood across most adult generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in North America, UK, Australia, and other English-speaking regions.
Let go
🎲 Economical with the truth