clear off
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle off
Meanings
Leave a place quickly, often when told to
Why “off”? The whole object launches away from where it stood.
“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 off a debt completely
Why “off”? A continuous line is snipped. The activity stops.
“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; Take on more than you can handle ("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
Close off an area or route to prevent access; 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
End a relationship, talk or activity suddenly; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; End diplomatic, business or personal contact; Take a short pause from an activity
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