claw off
C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To scratch something off a surface using your nails or claws.
Literal meaning: To use claws to remove something from a surface.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To remove something from a surface by scratching or scraping with claws or fingernails.
"The cat had clawed off most of the wallpaper in the hallway."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
neutral
(nautical) To sail or maneuver a vessel away from a dangerous coastline or obstacle.
"In worsening weather, the crew struggled to claw off the rocky shore."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Used both literally (an animal or person scratching something off a surface) and in a nautical sense — 'claw off a lee shore' means to sail away from a dangerous coastline. The nautical sense is specialized and rare.
Commonly used with
bark label paint scab shore surface
Forms
Base
claw off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
claws off
he/she/it
Past simple
clawed off
yesterday
Past participle
clawed off
have + pp
-ing form
clawing off
continuous
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