drift off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Gradually fall asleep
Why “off”? A continuous line is snipped. The activity stops.
“She drifted off to sleep.”
“Omar drifted off during the film.”
Don't confuse with
Drift off means gradually fall asleep. Drift away means gradually become less close to someone.
Test yourself
“She drifted off to sleep.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
drift away
A contrast learners often mix up
Slip out of awareness slowly; Gradually become less close to someone
back off
Same off pattern: stopping
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
blow off
Same off pattern: stopping
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
buy off
Same off pattern: stopping
Bribe someone to stop opposing you
call off
Same off pattern: stopping
Cancel a planned event
check off
Same off pattern: stopping
Mark items on a list as done or counted
clear off
Same off pattern: stopping
Leave a place quickly, often when told to; Remove items from a surface; Pay off a debt completely
Practice “drift off” in Sink In
Drill this and 600+ phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by particle.