flake off
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
For small bits of something to fall off or come away from a surface.
Literal meaning: Flakes (thin, flat pieces) breaking off from a surface — fully transparent.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
For a coating or surface layer to break away in small, thin pieces.
"The old paint was flaking off the walls, revealing the plaster beneath."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
For skin to peel away in small pieces, especially after sunburn or dryness.
"Her skin started flaking off a few days after the bad sunburn."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Very common when describing paint, skin (especially sunburned skin), rust, plaster, and similar surfaces deteriorating. Also used as a rude dismissal in American informal English ('flake off!' = go away), though this is very crude.
Commonly used with
paint plaster skin rust surface coating
Forms
Base
flake off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flakes off
he/she/it
Past simple
flaked off
yesterday
Past participle
flaked off
have + pp
-ing form
flaking off
continuous
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Synonyms
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