come off
phrasal verb·5 senses·particle off
Meanings
Become detached from something
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“The handle came off in my hand.”
“The label came off in the wash.”
Happen successfully as planned
Why “off”? The effort succeeds. It moves from an attempt to a result.
“The plan came off better than we expected.”
“The surprise party came off well.”
Stop taking a medicine or substance
Why “off”? A continuous line is snipped. The activity stops.
“He came off the painkillers slowly.”
“She came off sleeping pills last year.”
Give a particular impression to others
Why “off”? Words or impressions come off a source and reach other people.
“He came off as arrogant.”
“She came off as calm in the meeting.”
Be withdrawn from sale or service
“The product came off the shelves.”
“That phone model came off the market.”
Don't confuse with
Come off means become detached from something. Come on means used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone.
Come off means stop taking a medicine or substance. Come apart means break into pieces or stop holding together.
Test yourself
“The handle came off in my hand.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
come apart
A contrast learners often mix up
Break into pieces or stop holding together
come on
A contrast learners often mix up
Used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone; Begin to develop, especially an illness or weather; Start working or be turned on; Make progress or improve; Try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone; Be broadcast on television or radio
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
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
bring off
Same off pattern: success
Achieve something difficult successfully
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