give off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Produce a smell, light, heat or feeling
Why “off”? Words, feelings, impressions, light, heat, or smells leave a source and reach others.
“The fire gives off heat.”
“The flowers give off a sweet smell.”
Don't confuse with
Give off means produce a smell, light, heat or feeling. Give on means open onto or face a place.
Test yourself
“The fire gives off heat.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
give on
A contrast learners often mix up
Open onto or face a place
bite off
Same off pattern: release
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Accept more work or responsibility than you can manage ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
blow off
Same off pattern: release
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
come off
Same off pattern: release
Become detached from something; Happen successfully as planned; Stop taking a medicine or substance; Give a particular impression to others; Be withdrawn from sale or service
go off
Same off pattern: release
Stop working or be cut; Start making a loud warning sound; Become unsafe or unpleasant to eat or drink
pass off
Same off pattern: release
Pretend that something or someone is something else
read off
Same off pattern: release
Read aloud from a list or screen
reel off
Same off pattern: release
Recite a long list quickly and easily from memory
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