To separate a part of a company or organization and make it independent, often by selling or privatizing it.
To take one part of a big company and make it into its own separate company.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To separate a subsidiary, division, or asset from a parent company and make it an independent entity, often by selling it.
"The conglomerate decided to hive off its logistics division to focus on its core retail business."
The government plans to hive off the profitable parts of the postal service.
— The Guardian, business section (widely attested phrasing, c. 2010s)
To move or separate a group of people away from the main body, directing them to work or act independently.
"The teacher hived off the advanced students into a separate workshop."
Bees leaving (hiving off) from a main hive to form a new colony — the business metaphor is a direct extension of this image.
To take one part of a big company and make it into its own separate company.
Primarily British English, especially in business journalism and political discourse. Common in discussions of privatization, corporate restructuring, and government policy. Comes from the image of bees leaving a hive to form a new colony.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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