1 A2 neutral
To remove dirt, marks, or a substance from a surface.
"Can you clean the mud off your boots before you come inside?"
separable
clean off
A2 neutral separable transitive
To remove dirt, marks, or unwanted substances from a surface.
In plain English
To get rid of the dirty stuff on top of something.
What does "clean off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To clear a surface of everything on it so it is empty and clean.
"Please clean off the whiteboard before the next class starts."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To clean something so the dirt comes off.
Actually means
To get rid of the dirty stuff on top of something.
Usage tip
Everyday, neutral phrasal verb used in all varieties of English. Works for both the substance being removed ('clean the mud off') and the surface being cleaned ('clean off the table').
Words that pair with "clean off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
mud stain grease dirt table shoes board
How to conjugate "clean off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
clean off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cleans off
he/she/it
Past simple
cleaned off
yesterday
Past participle
cleaned off
have + pp
-ing form
cleaning off
continuous
Hear "clean off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "clean off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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