skive off
Sneak away early
Skive off is British slang for avoiding work or duty, typically by leaving early or not showing up: He skived off work to watch the match.
The phrase suggests shirking rather than legitimate absence—sneaking away rather than taking approved leave.
Sometimes shortened to just skive: She's always skiving.
- loafBaked bread shape
- play hookyAbsent oneself without leave
- goldbrickShirk while appearing busy
- cop outEvade a commitment
- pull a sickieFalsely claim illness for absence
sickie · call in sick · wag · cutting class · hide · ditching · malingering · play truant · slack off · shirk · truancy · absenteeism · dodge · work · fake · coast · sneak · sneak out
work ethic and attendance
skive offshow up
Arrive or outperform
turn up · attend · buckle down · knuckle down · get stuck in
effort and application
skive offwork hard
Expend serious effort
graft · toil · apply oneself · beaver away · plug away