Here are I have 13 English phrasal verbs with OFF for you. Most people when looking at such phrasal verbs with OFF will give the more common forms as examples such as:
- break off – to end
- tear off – to rip
- switch off – to turn off something (light, for example)
Therefore I thought I might look at a few less well known phrasal verbs using the preposition OFF with some examples.
Don’t forget to check out common phrasal verbs with UP and a few phrasal verbs with AROUND.
Harry
Phrasal Verbs with OFF
shake off something meaning - video lesson
Table of Contents
Phrasal Verbs with OFF
cut off
Literally to cut off means to take a knife or scissors and cut a piece of meat or cloth or material from an article.
Example:
He cut a piece of meat off and gave it to the dog.
However, to be cut off can also have other meanings.
to be cut off – to have no access in or out, to be disconnected
Example: Heavy rains caused the river to quickly overflow its banks and 2 local villages have been cut off.
to cut someone off – to prevent someone from receiving something
Example:
Joe had an argument with his father. The father threatened to cut him off without a penny unless Joe agrees to do as he requests.
pass off
This usually means to try and pretend (make others believe) that a thing is worth more than it actually is.
Example:
Sarah was desperate for money. She advertised her fake bag online hoping she could pass it off as the real thing.
Intermediate to Advanced English Marathon
INSANITY: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
break off
to end a relationship or agreement
Example:
Have you heard the news? Sarah broke off her relationship with Peter last week.
come off
to succeed, to work out
Example:
Despite all their efforts, the deal didn’t come off.
13 Less Well Known Phrasal Verbs with OFF
stop off
to make a short break in a journey
Example: We stopped off at an old castle for some site seeing.
start off
to cause something to begin
Example:
Well done to our U12 boys who started off the season with a super win over ABC United.
finish off (with)
to destroy, to kill someone or to complete with something
Example:
It was a great meal, we finished off with coffee and mints.
bounce off something
to discuss something (idea, plan) with somebody in order to get their opinion
Example:
I just want to bounce this off you before I proceed.
bounce off something meaning - video lesson
give off
to emit, to produce smell, heat, fumes, etc
Example:
There was some food inside the microwave that gave off a terrible smell.
palm off
to dismiss someone’s questions with non-committal or untrue answers
Example:
Peter thinks that he can palm me off with any excuse, but he’s wrong. I want to know the truth.
cry off
When we cannot attend an event we originally agreed to attend because of a particular reason we often say “sorry, I am going to have to cry off, something important has come up”.
Example:
Antonio was really looking forward to the game of tennis. He had arranged to play with Miguel on Saturday. Late on Friday Miguel called to say he had injured his back and would have to cry off from the game of tennis.
13 Less Well Known Phrasal Verbs with OFF
make off with
This is often used to describe a situation where a robbery takes place and the robbers or thieves run away with whatever they had targeted.
Example:
The robbers spent 2 days over the weekend tunnelling (digging) under the bank. They got into the safe without much difficulty and took a lot of cash and other valuables with them. The police estimated that they had made off with over $1m. !
head off
1. If we decide to go away for a few days or on a longer holiday we can use this phrasal verb to let people know what we are doing.
Example:
I am going to head off for a few days to England.
2. We can also use it in more general terms to indicate we are going to leave somewhere.
Example:
I think I will head off home now, I am tired.
3. Finally, it can also be used to try to block someone from progressing with an idea or a plan.
Example:
I do not like the boss’s idea to expand the business so quickly. “Don’t worry” – his colleague says. “I will talk to him tomorrow and try to head him off (change his mind) before he goes too far”.
Phrasal Verbs with OFF
back off meaning - video lesson
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More Information
As you probably already know, phrasal verbs are mostly used in spoken English. One of the ways to improve your speaking skills in English is to learn commonly used phrasal verbs. Unfortunately, there are no tips to learn phrasal verbs easily. However, I hope some of my other posts will make learning a little bit easier for you.
Phrasal Verbs with FALL and their meanings
Free materials for intermediate and advanced English are always available at Learning English with the BBC.
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