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pension off

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To make someone stop working by giving them regular retirement money, or to throw away something old and worn out.

Literal meaning: To send someone off with a pension.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To make someone retire from their job by giving them a pension, often implying the decision is not entirely the person's own choice.

"The company pensioned off its oldest engineers when it restructured the department."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To discard or retire an old or worn-out object and replace it with something newer.

"They finally pensioned off the old photocopier and bought a modern one."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Often used with a slightly dismissive tone when referring to people, implying the decision was made by an employer rather than the employee. When applied to objects, it suggests the item is outdated or no longer fit for purpose. More common in British English than American English.

Commonly used with

workers employees equipment horses machinery soldiers

Forms

Base
pension off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pensions off
he/she/it
Past simple
pensioned off
yesterday
Past participle
pensioned off
have + pp
-ing form
pensioning off
continuous

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Synonyms

retire put out to pasture superannuate decommission phase out stand down

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