1 B1 neutral
To draw a line through a word or item on a list to indicate it has been removed or dealt with.
"She scored off each item on the checklist as she finished packing."
separable
score off
B2 neutral separable transitive
To delete by drawing a line through text, or to gain an advantage over someone by making them look foolish.
In plain English
To cross something out on paper, or to win an argument by making the other person look silly.
What does "score off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
To gain a social or intellectual advantage over someone, especially by making them look foolish in an argument.
"He was always trying to score off his colleagues in meetings rather than working as a team."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make a scored (cut) line, removing something — transparent in the textual sense.
Actually means
To cross something out on paper, or to win an argument by making the other person look silly.
Usage tip
Two distinct meanings: (1) the textual sense of crossing out words is fairly formal and found in editing contexts; (2) the interpersonal sense of gaining advantage over someone is more British and found in literary or journalistic writing. The interpersonal sense is somewhat old-fashioned.
Words that pair with "score off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
list name word opponent rival colleague
How to conjugate "score off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
score off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scores off
he/she/it
Past simple
scored off
yesterday
Past participle
scored off
have + pp
-ing form
scoring off
continuous
Hear "score off" in the wild
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