clear off
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle off
Meanings
Leave a place quickly, often when told to
Why “off”? Someone or something leaves a starting point. An action or event can also begin.
“Clear off. We're closing!”
“Clear off before the guard arrives.”
Remove items from a surface
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“Clear the books off the table.”
“Maya cleared the photos off her desk.”
Pay a debt completely
Why “off”? Something is delayed, interrupted, reduced, or brought to an end.
“She cleared off her loan in two years.”
“He cleared off the last credit card bill.”
Don't confuse with
Clear off means leave a place quickly, often when told to. Clear out means tidy by removing things you don't need.
Clear off means remove items from a surface. Clear away means remove items to tidy a space.
Test yourself
“Clear off. We're closing!” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
clear away
A contrast learners often mix up
Remove items to tidy a space
clear out
A contrast learners often mix up
Tidy by removing things you don't need
back off
Same off pattern: separation
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
bite off
Same off pattern: separation
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Accept more work or responsibility than you can manage ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
blast off
Same off pattern: departure
Launch into the sky with great force
block off
Same off pattern: separation
Block access to an area or route; Reserve a period of time for a specific purpose
blow off
Same off pattern: separation
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
break off
Same off pattern: stopping
Suddenly end a relationship, discussion, activity, or official contact; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; Take a short pause from an activity
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