1 B1 neutral
For a vehicle or group to start moving from a stationary position and travel away.
"The train moved off just as I reached the platform — I had to wait an hour for the next one."
move off
B1 neutral intransitive
To begin moving away from a place, especially for a vehicle or group to start travelling from a stationary position.
In plain English
Start moving away from where you were stopped.
What does "move off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To leave a place or move away from a particular spot, used of people or animals.
"The herd of cattle slowly moved off down the lane when the farmer opened the gate."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To go off and away from a place — largely transparent.
Actually means
Start moving away from where you were stopped.
Usage tip
Commonly used for vehicles (buses, trains, cars) departing from a stop. Also used for groups of people or animals beginning to move. Slightly more formal than 'pull away' in transport contexts.
Words that pair with "move off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bus train convoy slowly quickly platform
How to conjugate "move off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
move off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
moves off
he/she/it
Past simple
moved off
yesterday
Past participle
moved off
have + pp
-ing form
moving off
continuous
Hear "move off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "move off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.