on the job

1 of 2

phrase

: at work : while working

was injured on the job

on-the-job

2 of 2

adjective

ˈȯn-ṯẖə-ˈjäb 

: of, relating to, or being something (such as training or experience) learned, gained, or done while working at a job

Examples of on the job in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

So most clinicians need regular education, both to remain successful on the job and to get hired in the first place. — Elaine Appleton-Grant, NPR, 8 Nov. 2026

Police in the Pittsburgh area are asking for help locating a DoorDash driver who disappeared on the job more than two weeks ago. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Adjective

Meanwhile, according to Statista, 42% of hiring managers say traditional interviews are not a reliable predictor of on-the-job performance due to interviewer bias. — Amy Alexy, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

People who have good self-control often have higher psychological well-being, more academic and on-the-job achievements, and healthier relationships. — Joan M. Cook, Time, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for on the job

• blob
• bob
• cob
• daub
• fob
• glob
• gob
• hob
• knob
• lob
• mob
• rob

Kids Definition

on-the-job

adjective

: received or learned while working at a job

on-the-job training