in work
Employed. After almost a year of unemployment, I'm thrilled to be back in work right now.
out of work
Unemployed. Joe was out of work for nearly six months after the economy crashed. You'll be out of work if you ever pull a stunt like that again, do you understand?
out of work
unemployed; having lost one's job. Todd was out of work for almost a year. Too many people were out of work, and the economy got into trouble.
out of work
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."
in/out of ˈwork
having/not having a paid job: I’ve been out of work for a year.Is your husband in work at the moment?an out-of-work actor out of work
Without a job; unemployed.