1 A2 neutral
To turn off an electronic device completely.
"Could you power off your phone during the meeting, please?"
separable
power off
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To switch off an electronic device by cutting its power supply.
In plain English
To turn a machine or device completely off.
What does "power off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
For a device to lose power and stop working, either deliberately or due to a fault.
"My phone powered off without warning in the middle of my call."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Switching the electrical power to the 'off' state — entirely transparent and non-idiomatic.
Actually means
To turn a machine or device completely off.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday technology use — smartphones, tablets, computers, printers. Often appears as the label on physical buttons or on-screen menus. Slightly more informal and direct than 'power down'. Interchangeable with 'turn off' in most everyday contexts.
Words that pair with "power off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
phone tablet computer TV device screen
How to conjugate "power off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
power off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
powers off
he/she/it
Past simple
powered off
yesterday
Past participle
powered off
have + pp
-ing form
powering off
continuous
Hear "power off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "power off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "power off"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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