lie off
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
When a ship stays floating away from the coast or a port without going in.
Literal meaning: To be positioned lying away from something.
Meanings
1 C1 formal
(Nautical) to remain at a short distance from a coast, port, or vessel without docking or anchoring.
"The fleet lay off the coast for two days, waiting for the storm to pass."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Almost exclusively a nautical term. Rarely used outside of maritime contexts. Found in historical fiction, naval accounts, and technical maritime writing.
Commonly used with
coast shore harbour port fleet vessel
Forms
Base
lie off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lies off
he/she/it
Past simple
lay off
yesterday
Past participle
lain off
have + pp
-ing form
lying off
continuous
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