on holiday vs for a holiday

Both 'on holiday' and 'for a holiday' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'On holiday' is commonly used in British English to indicate that someone is taking a break from work or school, while 'for a holiday' is more commonly used in American English to express the purpose of taking time off for a vacation.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1218 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in British English to indicate that someone is taking a break from work or school.

"on holiday"

Use 'on holiday' to indicate that someone is taking a break from work or school to relax or travel.

Examples:

I'm going to Spain on holiday next week.
She always looks forward to being on holiday by the beach.
They are on holiday in the mountains.
He's on holiday for two weeks.
We met some friends while on holiday in Italy.

Show examples from the web [+]

Perhaps the professor went on holiday.
Here parents are really on holiday...
Actually, he's about to go on holiday.
And their life of about money they spend on holiday pot cheeses.
And next time you go on holiday let us know where.
Go on holiday to Taranto, at Nino.
No, I am a normal bourgeois wife on holiday.
The caucasians have all gone on holiday.
It started when we went to Brighton on holiday together.
You've been on holiday, I understand.
I'm here in Nashville on holiday.
I felt like I was on holiday.
I think she's gone on holiday.
You promised we'd go on holiday.
I went on holiday to Loch Etive.
Well, when we've finished this script, you can go on holiday.
Rebecca convinced me That you were all on holiday together...
Gyoshin Ayukawa. I'm here on holiday.
It's like being on holiday in some strange boarding house.
Of course not, you're on holiday.

Alternatives:

on vacation
taking a break
on a trip
away on holiday
enjoying a holiday

This phrase is correct and commonly used in American English to express the purpose of taking time off for a vacation.

"for a holiday"

Use 'for a holiday' to express the purpose of taking time off for a vacation or leisure.

Examples:

They are going to Hawaii for a holiday.
She took a week off for a holiday in Europe.
He's planning to go to the Bahamas for a holiday.
We saved up all year for a holiday in the Caribbean.
I'm going to New York for a holiday with my family.

Show examples from the web [+]

His daughter went for a holiday with her companion, a Miss Frensham.
I'll be gone when you get back down, but Dad's promised to bring you out for a holiday, and you can stay as long as you like.
Said she was taking the kids to Boston for a holiday.
Then for a holiday, Tess?
They could, for instance, pay rent for children studying abroad, pay for a holiday home, or pay for services provided by European companies (mobile telephone services, insurance, utilities, etc.).
They could, for instance, pay rent for children studying abroad, pay for a holiday home, or pay for services provided by European companies, e.g. mobile telephone services, insurance, utilities, etc.
The thing is, we're not all here for a holiday.
But I've told Jimmy to give you time for a holiday with Talyda.
It's for a holiday in Hawaii!
- Where would I get the money for a holiday?
I came here for a holiday and now I'm... now I'm dead.
The last time I saw David Ackroyd... he was very drunk... very... very much alive... and heading to Mexico for a holiday.
Here in Uganda, development aid. Here, time to invest; there, you can go for a holiday. It's a tremendous variation within Africa which we rarely often make - that it's equal everything.
My wife's brilliant idea for a holiday.
She was headed for a holiday cottage at Inverloch.
So let's gather by the workshop for a holiday surprise.
If you're thinking of it for a holiday, sir, the Wessex caters to elderly people.
But somehow I'm not in the mood for a holiday just now.
We're just happy to have our daughter and our future son-in-law here for a holiday.
I came for a holiday, nothing more.

Alternatives:

for vacation
for a trip
for leisure
to go on holiday
to take a break

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on holiday vs for a holiday

"on holiday"

"for a holiday"

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