1 B2 neutral
To use traffic cones to mark and close off a section of road or an area for safety or maintenance purposes.
"The council had coned off the left lane of the high street for emergency gas repairs."
separable
cone off
B2 neutral separable transitive
To close off or mark a section of a road or area using traffic cones.
In plain English
To put orange cone-shaped markers around a part of the road or an area so people cannot go there.
What does "cone off" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use cones to create an off-limits zone.
Actually means
To put orange cone-shaped markers around a part of the road or an area so people cannot go there.
Usage tip
Primarily used in British English in the context of road works, construction, or accident scenes. Less common in American English, where 'block off' or 'close off' are more typical. Very specific and practical vocabulary.
Words that pair with "cone off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
lane road section area motorway junction
How to conjugate "cone off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cone off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cones off
he/she/it
Past simple
coned off
yesterday
Past participle
coned off
have + pp
-ing form
coning off
continuous
Hear "cone off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "cone off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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