1 B2 neutral
To measure a distance by walking it and counting the number of paces taken.
"The soldier paced off fifty metres from the target to find the correct firing position."
separable
pace off
B2 neutral separable transitive
To measure a distance by counting the number of steps (paces) taken while walking.
In plain English
To find out how long something is by walking it and counting your steps.
What does "pace off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To mark out or define an area by walking its boundaries in measured steps.
"He paced off the garden plot before deciding where to put the fence."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To measure something off by taking paces (steps).
Actually means
To find out how long something is by walking it and counting your steps.
Usage tip
Common in military, surveying, sport, and outdoor contexts. A 'pace' is typically around 75–80 cm (approximately 30 inches). Also used when someone measures out an area for construction or planning.
Words that pair with "pace off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
distance yard metre field length perimeter steps
How to conjugate "pace off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pace off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
paces off
he/she/it
Past simple
paced off
yesterday
Past participle
paced off
have + pp
-ing form
pacing off
continuous
Hear "pace off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pace off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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