Language Research

off · adverb

/ɔːf/Full view

off (NOT AT WORK)

A2 not at work

Dictionary examples:

I had six weeks off when my son was born.

I'm going to take some time off to work on my house.

She was off last week.

Learner example:

I will take a day off on Friday. (Key English Test; A2; Czech)

off (REMOVED)

A2 used with actions in which something is removed or removes itself from another thing

Dictionary examples:

Take your jacket off.

One of my buttons came off.

She had all her hair cut off.

I left the lid off.

Learner example:

I took off my ring. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Korean)

off (NOT OPERATING)

A2 not operating or being used

Dictionary example:

Make sure the computers are turned off before you go home.

Learner example:

When we arrived home, all the lights were off and everything was peaceful. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

off (AWAY FROM)

B1 away from a place or position

Dictionary examples:

I'm off to the grocery store.

Keep the dog on the leash or he'll just run off.

Keep off the grass.

"Is Kara still here?" "You missed her - she just drove off."

She's off to Canada next week.

Learner example:

They g[o]t into the car and drove off. (Skills for Life (Entry 3); B1; Slovak)

off (LESS MONEY)

B1 If a price has a certain amount of money off, it costs that much less than the usual price.

Dictionary examples:

You can get some money off if you pay cash.

There's 40% off this week on all winter coats.

There was $40 or $50 off most jackets in the store.

Learner example:

He promised me 30% off the price, so I'm going to buy the TV and the CD player from him. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swedish)

off (DISTANCE/TIME)

C1 far in distance or time

Dictionary examples:

You can see the city off in the distance.

My vacation seems a long way off.

The wedding is so far off, I'm not even thinking about it yet.

Learner example:

Allow me to start by saying that one day, which may l[ie] not so far off in the future, people will visit the buildings which were formerly known as "Educational Institutions" like we visit museums to gape at the sheer size of the Dinosaurs... (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

off · preposition

/ɔːf/

off (AWAY FROM)

B1 down or away from a place or position

Dictionary examples:

All the leaves had dropped off the tree.

He fell off his bike.

Learner example:

I still remember the way your brother fell off the lad[d]er that day. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

off (REMOVED)

B1 used with actions in which something is removed or removes itself from another thing

Dictionary examples:

I can't get the lid off this jar.

Has anyone taken a book off my desk?

Could you cut me a small piece off that white cheese?

Take your feet off the seat.

Learner example:

Next month, I'm going to change my bedroom. I'll take the photographs off the wall. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

off (NEAR)

B2 near to a building or place

Dictionary example:

an island off the coast of Spain

Learner example:

He spent all night off the coast, (unfinished) (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

off duty

B2 If someone such as a doctor or a soldier is off duty, they are not working.

Dictionary example:

What time do you go off duty tomorrow?

Learner example:

Sometimes I come off duty at ten p.m. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

off the beaten track

C2 in a place where few people go

Dictionary example:

I prefer to take my vacation somewhere off the beaten track.

Learner example:

Furthermore, in areas off the beaten track, there [are] not even police sometimes. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

off · adjective never before noun

/ɔːf/

off (FOOD)

B2 If food or drink is off, it is not now fresh and good to eat or drink.

Dictionary example:

This milk smells off.

Learner example:

Who knows if the food isn't off? (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

off (STOPPED)

C2 stopped or given up

Dictionary examples:

Last night’s baseball game was called off because of rain.

We didn't get the funding for the show, so it's off.

Learner example:

On that day, she had written him a big long letter and told him that it was all off, for she didn't love him any longer. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)