1 B1 idiomatic informal
To go away; often used as a rude or firm command to leave
"'Shove off,' she said sharply, without looking up from her book."
shove off
B1 informal transitive/intransitive
To go away (often used as a rude command), or to push a boat away from the shore to start sailing
In plain English
To leave (used rudely), or to push a boat away from the dock
What does "shove off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To push a boat away from a dock, jetty, or bank in order to begin moving on water
"They shoved off from the riverbank just as the sun was starting to rise."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To push a boat off from the shore using a pole or one's hands
Actually means
To leave (used rudely), or to push a boat away from the dock
Usage tip
The 'go away' sense is commonly used as an imperative ('Shove off!') and is mildly rude — stronger than 'go away' but weaker than stronger vulgar alternatives. The nautical sense is literal and neutral. Primarily British English.
Words that pair with "shove off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
boat dock stranger annoying crowd jetty
How to conjugate "shove off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shove off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shoves off
he/she/it
Past simple
shoved off
yesterday
Past participle
shoved off
have + pp
-ing form
shoving off
continuous
Hear "shove off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "shove off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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