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sugar off

C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To finish cooking maple sap until it becomes sugar or candy; or to have a party where people make and eat maple candy.

Literal meaning: To take (the sugar) off (the heat/fire) at the right moment.

Meanings

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."

Grammar: inseparable
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."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

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.

Commonly used with

maple syrup sap season party taffy candy

Forms

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

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