1 B1 neutral
To remove dirt, grease, or another substance from a surface using soap.
"I couldn't soap the grease off my hands — I had to use a special cleaner."
separable
soap off
B1 neutral separable transitive
To remove a substance from a surface by washing it with soap.
In plain English
To use soap to get something dirty off a surface.
What does "soap off" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use soap to make something come off — fully transparent.
Actually means
To use soap to get something dirty off a surface.
Usage tip
Relatively rare; more common alternatives are 'wash off' or 'scrub off'. May be used when emphasizing that soap specifically is needed to remove a substance, such as grease or paint.
Words that pair with "soap off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
grease dirt stain paint residue grime
How to conjugate "soap off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
soap off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
soaps off
he/she/it
Past simple
soaped off
yesterday
Past participle
soaped off
have + pp
-ing form
soaping off
continuous
Hear "soap off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "soap off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "soap off"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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