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sign off

B1 neutral inseparable both
In simple words

To say goodbye at the end of a letter or broadcast, or to officially say 'yes, this is done/approved.'

Literal meaning: To write (sign) your name at the bottom (off) of a document — indicating it is finished.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic neutral

To end a letter, email, or broadcast, typically with a closing word or signature.

"She signed off with 'Best regards' and hit send."

"This is Walter Cronkite. Good night."

— Walter Cronkite, CBS Evening News sign-off (paraphrased from his standard sign-off)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To give official approval or authorization for something (often 'sign off on').

"The manager needs to sign off on any expense over five hundred pounds."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral

(British English) To receive a doctor's signed certificate stating you are unfit for work.

"He was signed off for two weeks with stress and exhaustion."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Has multiple senses: ending a letter or broadcast (neutral, common), giving official approval (professional), or in British English, receiving a doctor's signed note for sick leave. The phrase 'sign off on' is used for the approval sense. Common in both British and American English.

Commonly used with

letter email broadcast project deal report

Forms

Base
sign off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
signs off
he/she/it
Past simple
signed off
yesterday
Past participle
signed off
have + pp
-ing form
signing off
continuous

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