get off
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle off
Meanings
Leave a bus, train or plane
Why “off”? The whole object launches away from where it stood.
“We get off at the next stop.”
“Tourists got off the ferry at the island.”
“Get off here for the museum.”
Finish work for the day
Why “off”? A continuous line is snipped. The activity stops.
“I get off work at five.”
“She gets off at six after the late shift.”
“She got off early to pick up the kids.”
Escape punishment
Why “off”? Something had a hold on you — a punishment, a fear, a restriction. The hold breaks, and you slip away free.
“He got off with a small fine.”
“The driver got off with a warning.”
“Somehow he got off with just a warning.”
Don't confuse with
Get off means leave a bus, train or plane. Get on means board a bus, train or plane.
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
“We get off at the next stop.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
get on
A contrast learners often mix up
Board a bus, train or plane; Have a good relationship; Make progress with a task; Manage to dress yourself in; Be growing old; Continue with a task without delay
get out
A contrast learners often mix up
Leave a room, car or building; Become known publicly, often by accident; Go out socially; Manage to escape from a situation; Remove a stain or mark from something; Produce or manage to say words; Publish or release something to the public
get through
A contrast learners often mix up
Finish a difficult task or period; Survive a hard time; Make contact by phone; Use up a quantity of something; Pass a test or selection process
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
blast off
Same off pattern: departure
Launch into the sky with great force
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
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