drive off
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle off
Meanings
Leave by car
Why “off”? The whole object launches away from where it stood.
“She drove off without a backward glance.”
“The taxi drove off before I could wave.”
Force back by attacking
Why “off”? Something unwanted is pushed away so it does not affect you.
“They drove off the attackers at dawn.”
“The villagers drove off the wolves.”
Don't confuse with
Drive off means leave by car. Drive down means make prices or numbers fall.
Drive off means leave by car. Drive away means force someone to leave or stay away.
Drive off means force back by attacking. Drive back means force an attacker to retreat.
Test yourself
“She drove off without a backward glance.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
drive away
A contrast learners often mix up
Leave by car; Force someone to leave or stay away
drive back
A contrast learners often mix up
Force an attacker to retreat
drive down
A contrast learners often mix up
Cause prices, numbers or values to fall
blast off
Same off pattern: departure
Launch into the sky with great force
blow off
Same off pattern: defence
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
brush off
Same off pattern: defence
Dismiss something or someone as unimportant; Remove dust or dirt by sweeping it lightly; Refuse to talk to someone politely
clear off
Same off pattern: departure
Leave a place quickly, often when told to; Remove items from a surface; Pay off a debt completely
dash off
Same off pattern: departure
Leave in a great hurry
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