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branch off

B1 neutral intransitive
In simple words

To go off in a different direction from the main road or subject, like a branch growing away from a tree trunk.

Literal meaning: For a branch to grow off in a different direction from the trunk or a main branch.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

For a road, path, or river to divide and go in a different direction from the main route.

"About two miles down the trail, a smaller path branches off to the left toward the lake."

2 B1 idiomatic neutral

For a conversation, story, or line of thinking to move away from the main subject.

"The lecture branched off into an interesting discussion about the history of medicine."

Usage notes

Used both literally (roads, paths, rivers diverging) and figuratively (a conversation or story going in a different direction). The literal sense is very transparent and easy for learners to understand.

Commonly used with

road path topic conversation river trail

Forms

Base
branch off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
branches off
he/she/it
Past simple
branched off
yesterday
Past participle
branched off
have + pp
-ing form
branching off
continuous

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Synonyms

fork off diverge split off deviate veer off

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