30 Ways to Ask Someone to Leave Your Office

Asking someone to leave your office can feel awkward—even stressful—especially when you want to stay professional, kind, and respectful. Over the years, whether managing teams, hosting meetings, or handling unexpected drop-ins, I’ve learned that how you say something matters just as much as what you say.

This guide shares thoughtful, polite, and empathetic ways to ask someone to exit your office without sounding rude or dismissive. Each phrase is designed to protect relationships, maintain authority, and respect boundaries, making it easier for you to communicate with confidence and care.

Table of Contents

1. “Let’s continue this another time.”

This phrase gently signals closure without rejection.

Best Use: When a discussion is running long
Not to Use: If the person needs immediate resolution
Other Ways to Say: “Let’s revisit this later”
Example: “This is important—let’s continue this another time.”

2. “I have another commitment coming up.”

A professional and neutral way to end a visit.

Best Use: Scheduled interruptions
Not to Use: If transparency is required
Other Ways to Say: “I’m booked shortly”
Example: “I have another commitment coming up, but thank you for stopping by.”

3. “I’ll need to get back to work now.”

Clear, honest, and respectful.

Best Use: Casual office visits
Not to Use: Formal or sensitive meetings
Other Ways to Say: “I need to refocus”
Example: “I’ll need to get back to work now—let’s catch up later.”

4. “Can we wrap this up for today?”

Invites cooperation rather than forcing an exit.

Best Use: Meetings nearing overtime
Not to Use: Abrupt interruptions
Other Ways to Say: “Let’s conclude for now”
Example: “Can we wrap this up for today and pick it up tomorrow?”

5. “I want to give this my full attention later.”

Shows respect and care for the conversation.

Best Use: When distracted or rushed
Not to Use: When avoidance is obvious
Other Ways to Say: “Let’s schedule time”
Example: “I want to give this my full attention later.”

6. “Let’s schedule a follow-up.”

Keeps things structured and professional.

Best Use: Work-related discussions
Not to Use: Casual chats
Other Ways to Say: “We’ll set a meeting”
Example: “Let’s schedule a follow-up to go deeper.”

7. “I’m up against a deadline.”

Honest and universally understood.

Best Use: Busy workdays
Not to Use: Repeated excuses
Other Ways to Say: “I’m on a tight timeline”
Example: “I’m up against a deadline, so I’ll need to pause here.”

8. “Let me walk you out.”

Polite body-language cue plus kindness.

Best Use: Guests or visitors
Not to Use: Conflict situations
Other Ways to Say: “I’ll see you out”
Example: “Thanks for coming—let me walk you out.”

9. “I appreciate you stopping by.”

Gratitude softens the message.

Best Use: Friendly drop-ins
Not to Use: When urgency is required
Other Ways to Say: “Thanks for visiting”
Example: “I appreciate you stopping by—let’s chat again soon.”

10. “I need to prepare for my next meeting.”

Professional and time-based.

Best Use: Corporate environments
Not to Use: Informal chats
Other Ways to Say: “I need prep time”
Example: “I need to prepare for my next meeting, so we’ll pause here.”

11. “Can we pick this up later?”

Keeps the relationship open.

Best Use: Ongoing conversations
Not to Use: One-time discussions
Other Ways to Say: “Let’s revisit later”
Example: “Can we pick this up later today?”

12. “I don’t want to rush this.”

Signals respect while closing the meeting.

Best Use: Sensitive topics
Not to Use: Quick updates
Other Ways to Say: “This deserves time”
Example: “I don’t want to rush this—let’s continue another time.”

13. “I should let you get back to your day.”

Flips the courtesy toward them.

Best Use: Peer conversations
Not to Use: Authority situations
Other Ways to Say: “I won’t keep you”
Example: “I should let you get back to your day.”

14. “We’re at a good stopping point.”

Natural and calm transition.

Best Use: Long discussions
Not to Use: Abrupt endings
Other Ways to Say: “This is a good pause”
Example: “We’re at a good stopping point for now.”

15. “I’ll follow up by email.”

Moves the conversation elsewhere.

Best Use: Detailed topics
Not to Use: Emotional conversations
Other Ways to Say: “I’ll message you”
Example: “I’ll follow up by email with next steps.”

16. “Let’s respect the schedule.”

Firm yet professional.

Best Use: Meetings with time limits
Not to Use: Casual chats
Other Ways to Say: “Let’s stay on time”
Example: “Let’s respect the schedule and wrap up.”

17. “I have to step into something else.”

Neutral and non-specific.

Best Use: Quick exits
Not to Use: Repeated use
Other Ways to Say: “I need to step away”
Example: “I have to step into something else now.”

18. “Thanks for sharing your thoughts.”

Acknowledges contribution.

Best Use: Feedback sessions
Not to Use: When unresolved conflict remains
Other Ways to Say: “I value your input”
Example: “Thanks for sharing your thoughts—let’s pause here.”

19. “I need some quiet time to focus.”

Sets boundaries respectfully.

Best Use: Open offices
Not to Use: Formal meetings
Other Ways to Say: “I need focus time”
Example: “I need some quiet time to focus now.”

20. “Let’s touch base tomorrow.”

Future-oriented and polite.

Best Use: End-of-day talks
Not to Use: Urgent matters
Other Ways to Say: “We’ll reconnect tomorrow”
Example: “Let’s touch base tomorrow morning.”

21. “I don’t want to keep you any longer.”

Shows courtesy.

Best Use: Client meetings
Not to Use: When time is not an issue
Other Ways to Say: “I’ll let you go”
Example: “I don’t want to keep you any longer—thank you.”

22. “This is all I can cover right now.”

Sets clear limits.

Best Use: Information-heavy topics
Not to Use: Sensitive conversations
Other Ways to Say: “That’s all for now”
Example: “This is all I can cover right now.”

23. “Let’s pause here.”

Simple and effective.

Best Use: Collaborative discussions
Not to Use: Conflict situations
Other Ways to Say: “Let’s stop here”
Example: “Let’s pause here and regroup later.”

24. “I appreciate your time today.”

Gracious and professional.

Best Use: Formal meetings
Not to Use: Casual interruptions
Other Ways to Say: “Thanks for your time”
Example: “I appreciate your time today.”

25. “I’ll see you later.”

Friendly and casual exit.

Best Use: Team members
Not to Use: Serious discussions
Other Ways to Say: “Talk soon”
Example: “I’ll see you later—thanks for stopping by.”

Conclusion

Learning how to ask someone to leave your office politely is a valuable communication skill. With the right phrasing, you can maintain professionalism, protect relationships, and set healthy boundaries—all without discomfort. From personal experience, I’ve found that warmth, clarity, and gratitude go a long way in making these moments feel natural rather than awkward.

Editor’s Choice: Top 10 Polite Office Exit Phrases

Let’s continue this another time – Gentle and respectful
I have another commitment coming up – Professional and neutral
Can we wrap this up for today? – Collaborative tone
Let me walk you out – Polite body-language cue
I need to prepare for my next meeting – Time-based clarity
I appreciate you stopping by – Warm and friendly
Let’s schedule a follow-up – Structured and professional
I need some quiet time to focus – Boundary-setting
I’ll follow up by email – Efficient and clear
I appreciate your time today – Ideal for formal settings

william moria

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