get off

phrasal verb·3 senses·particle off

Usefulness
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Meanings

1

Leave a bus, train or plane

Why “off”? Someone or something leaves a starting point. An action or event can also begin.

Leo got off the bus near the city library.
Leo left the bus near the city library.
Tourists got off the ferry at the island.
Tourists left the ferry at the island.
Get off here for the museum.
Exit the vehicle at this stop if you're going to the museum.
Maya and Leo got off the train at the seaside station.
Maya and Leo left the train at the seaside station.
2

Finish work for the day

Why “off”? Something is delayed, interrupted, reduced, or brought to an end.

I get off work at five.
My working day finishes at five.
She gets off at six after the late shift.
Her working day finishes at six after the late shift.
She got off early to pick up the kids.
She left work early in order to pick up the kids.
3

Escape punishment

Escaperare

Why “off”? A punishment, fear, or restriction no longer holds you. You become free from it.

He got off with a small fine.
He escaped serious punishment, paying only a small fine.
The driver got off with a warning.
The driver escaped real punishment and only got a warning.
The player got off with a small fine instead of a ban.
The player avoided the expected ban and paid only a small fine.

Common mistake

Get off from the bus at the next stop.

Get off the bus at the next stop.

Get off takes the vehicle directly — no from.

Natural collocations

The word partners “get off” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.

get off the trainget off workget off lightlyget off the phone

Don't confuse with

get offget on

Get off means leave a bus, train or plane. Get on means board a bus, train or plane.

get offget out

Get off means leave a bus. Get out means leave a room.

Get off means finish work for the day. Get through means finish a difficult task or period.

Test yourself

Leo got off the bus near the city library. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

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