Browse all

get off

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To step off a vehicle, to not be punished, or to stop touching something.

Literal meaning: To move off the surface of something — the physical sense underlies all uses.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To leave a bus, train, plane, or other public transport.

"We get off at the next stop."

2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To escape punishment or avoid a serious consequence.

"He was accused of fraud but got off because of insufficient evidence."

"He got off scot-free."

— Common English idiom widely used in journalism; 'scot-free' is a traditional expression meaning without penalty
3 A2 informal

To stop touching or being on top of something; also used as an exclamation to tell someone to stop touching you.

"Get off my bag — I didn't say you could touch it!"

4 B1 neutral

To send a letter, email, or message.

"I need to get this email off before the office closes."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Use 'get off' for buses, trains, planes, and bikes. Use 'get out of' for cars and taxis. 'Get off!' as an exclamation tells someone to stop touching you. In slang, 'get off on' means to be excited by something.

Commonly used with

bus train phone work charge lightly

Forms

Base
get off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gets off
he/she/it
Past simple
got off
yesterday
Past participle
got/gotten off
have + pp
-ing form
getting off
continuous

Understand "get off" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

disembark exit avoid punishment escape leave stop

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "get off" on Looplines