1 B2 neutral
To put tape around or across an area to prevent people from entering or to mark a boundary.
"Police taped off the alley where the incident occurred."
separable
tape off
B2 neutral separable transitive
To mark off an area with tape in order to restrict access or mark boundaries.
In plain English
To put tape around a place so that people can't go into it.
What does "tape off" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To close or mark off (an area) using tape.
Actually means
To put tape around a place so that people can't go into it.
Usage tip
Commonly used in the context of crime scenes, construction sites, accidents, or events. Police often use yellow tape, while road workers use orange or red tape. The object is usually a place or area.
Words that pair with "tape off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
area crime scene section road entrance zone
How to conjugate "tape off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tape off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tapes off
he/she/it
Past simple
taped off
yesterday
Past participle
taped off
have + pp
-ing form
taping off
continuous
Hear "tape off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tape off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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