1 B1 neutral
To stop doing something, or to reach a stopping point in an activity.
"Let's pick up the meeting from where we left off yesterday."
inseparable
leave off
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To stop doing something, or to omit something from a list or document.
In plain English
To stop doing something, or to not put something on a list.
What does "leave off" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To omit someone or something from a list, document, or group.
"My name was accidentally left off the invitation list."
separable
3 C1 idiomatic informal
(British informal) To tell someone to stop doing something annoying.
"'Leave off teasing your sister,' their father said firmly."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To leave something in an 'off' position or state.
Actually means
To stop doing something, or to not put something on a list.
Usage tip
The sense of 'stopping' is often informal and used without an object ('where did we leave off?'). The omission sense is separable and used with an object. British English also uses 'leave off' informally to mean 'stop it!'.
Words that pair with "leave off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
list name details work point habit
How to conjugate "leave off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
leave off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
leaves off
he/she/it
Past simple
left off
yesterday
Past participle
left off
have + pp
-ing form
leaving off
continuous
Hear "leave off" in the wild
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Other ways to say "leave off"
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Keep exploring
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