shave off
B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To cut or remove a small amount of something — like hair, time, or cost.
Literal meaning: To cut something off the surface with a razor or sharp blade.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To remove hair from the face or body by cutting it at the surface with a razor.
"He decided to shave off his beard before the job interview."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral
To remove a thin layer from a surface by cutting.
"She shaved off a thin slice of parmesan to garnish the pasta."
Grammar: separable
3 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To reduce a small amount from a time, price, or figure.
"The new tyres shaved three seconds off his lap time."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Very naturally used both in literal contexts (shaving hair, wood) and figurative ones (shaving seconds off a race time, shaving off costs). The figurative sense is very common in sports and business reporting.
Commonly used with
beard hair seconds time costs weight edges
Forms
Base
shave off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shaves off
he/she/it
Past simple
shaved off
yesterday
Past participle
shaved off
have + pp
-ing form
shaving off
continuous
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