1 C1 neutral
To boil maple sap to the point where it crystallizes or sets into sugar or candy.
"They knew it was time to sugar off when the syrup reached the right temperature and started to thicken rapidly."
inseparable
sugar off
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In maple syrup production, to complete the boiling process until the sap turns into sugar or candy; also used to describe the traditional social event around this activity.
In plain English
To finish cooking maple sap until it becomes sugar or candy; or to have a party where people make and eat maple candy.
What does "sugar off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
To attend or host a 'sugaring off' party, a traditional springtime celebration in maple-producing regions where people gather to make and eat maple candy.
"Every March, the whole village would sugar off together, pouring hot syrup onto fresh snow to make taffy."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To take (the sugar) off (the heat/fire) at the right moment.
Actually means
To finish cooking maple sap until it becomes sugar or candy; or to have a party where people make and eat maple candy.
Usage tip
Predominantly used in Canadian and northeastern US contexts related to maple syrup production. 'Sugaring off' also refers to a traditional community celebration held during maple syrup season. Regional and specialist vocabulary.
Words that pair with "sugar off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
maple syrup sap season party taffy candy
How to conjugate "sugar off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sugar off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sugars off
he/she/it
Past simple
sugared off
yesterday
Past participle
sugared off
have + pp
-ing form
sugaring off
continuous
Hear "sugar off" in the wild
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