1 C1 neutral
To remove material such as rust, a burr, or a sharp edge from an object by rubbing with a file.
"He filed off the rough burr on the metal pipe before connecting it."
separable
file off
C1 neutral mixed transitive/intransitive
To remove something by rubbing it with a file, or (of a group) to depart in a single-file line.
In plain English
To rub something away with a rough tool, or to leave in a neat line.
What does "file off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
To leave or depart in a single-file line.
"After the ceremony, the honour guard filed off the stage in perfect formation."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use a file to remove material from an object; or to move off in a file (line).
Actually means
To rub something away with a rough tool, or to leave in a neat line.
Usage tip
Has two distinct uses: the physical act of removing material with a file (transitive, separable) and the movement sense of departing in a line (intransitive, inseparable). The movement sense is less common than 'file out'.
Words that pair with "file off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
rust burr edge serial number soldiers mourners
How to conjugate "file off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
file off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
files off
he/she/it
Past simple
filed off
yesterday
Past participle
filed off
have + pp
-ing form
filing off
continuous
Hear "file off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "file off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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