1 C1 neutral
To apply a clamp to a blood vessel, tube, or pipe in order to stop the flow of liquid through it (medical/technical)
"The surgeon quickly clamped off the artery to prevent further blood loss during the procedure."
separable
clamp off
C1 neutral separable transitive
To stop the flow of a liquid or gas through a tube or vessel by applying a clamp
In plain English
To put a clip or clamp on a tube or pipe to stop liquid or gas from flowing through it
What does "clamp off" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To apply a clamp (a fastening device) to close off a tube or vessel, stopping the flow
Actually means
To put a clip or clamp on a tube or pipe to stop liquid or gas from flowing through it
Usage tip
Primarily a technical or medical term. Very common in surgical contexts where blood vessels or tubes are clamped to stop bleeding or control flow. Less common outside medical and engineering settings. Learners are most likely to encounter this in medical English.
Words that pair with "clamp off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
artery vein tube vessel catheter pipe
How to conjugate "clamp off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
clamp off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clamps off
he/she/it
Past simple
clamped off
yesterday
Past participle
clamped off
have + pp
-ing form
clamping off
continuous
Hear "clamp off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "clamp off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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