1 C1 idiomatic neutral
To take someone or something away from a place rapidly and covertly, often to prevent others from seeing or stopping it
"The bodyguards spirited the celebrity off before the crowd could reach her."
separable
spirit off
C1 neutral separable transitive
To remove someone or something from a place quickly and secretly
In plain English
To take someone away so fast and secretly that nobody notices
What does "spirit off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
To remove a document, object, or piece of evidence from a location secretly and swiftly
"The files were spirited off to an undisclosed location before investigators arrived."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move someone off like a spirit (ghost) — as if they simply vanished
Actually means
To take someone away so fast and secretly that nobody notices
Usage tip
Often used in journalism and narrative writing to describe dramatic rescues, kidnappings, or clandestine removals. The verb 'spirit' here evokes the idea of something disappearing like a ghost. Typically used in the passive or with a human object.
Words that pair with "spirit off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
diplomat witness hostage celebrity document heir
How to conjugate "spirit off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
spirit off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spirits off
he/she/it
Past simple
spirited off
yesterday
Past participle
spirited off
have + pp
-ing form
spiriting off
continuous
Hear "spirit off" in the wild
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