1 B2 neutral
to remove an outer layer, covering, or piece by pulling it off
"She peeled off the sticker without damaging the box."
separable
peel off
B2 neutral mixed transitive/intransitive
to remove something by pulling it off, or to separate and move away
In plain English
to pull something off, or move away from others
What does "peel off" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
to take off clothes quickly or in layers
"The kids peeled off their wet socks by the door."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
to separate from a group, formation, or route and move away
"A police car peeled off and turned into a side street."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to strip off an outer layer
Actually means
to pull something off, or move away from others
Usage tip
Very common for labels, skins, clothes, and vehicles leaving a route or group. Can be literal or figurative.
Words that pair with "peel off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
label skin wallpaper clothes lane formation
How to conjugate "peel off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
peel off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
peels off
he/she/it
Past simple
peeled off
yesterday
Past participle
peeled off
have + pp
-ing form
peeling off
continuous
Hear "peel off" in the wild
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Other ways to say "peel off"
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