Off
/ɒf/
Definitions
3 meaningsFrom a position or place; away from.
/ɒf/
Indicating separation or removal
He took the hat off his head.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're taking something *away* from a place. Like, you take your shoes *off* your feet after a long day. Or you can take a book *off* a shelf.
👶 For kids: Away from something. Like taking your hat *off* your head.
More Examples
The cat jumped off the table.
I turned the light off.
How It's Used
"She took the book off the shelf."
Away from a place or position.
/ɒf/
Indicating movement away
The train pulled off.
💡 Simply: It's like moving *away* from something. Imagine a race car starting a race: it drives *off* the starting line. Or a bird flies *off* into the sky.
👶 For kids: Going away from something. Like a car driving *off*.
More Examples
The plane took off.
The alarm went off.
How It's Used
"The car drove off quickly."
Not working; not in operation; switched off.
/ɒf/
Not working or operating
The television is off.
💡 Simply: It means something isn't working. Like, when the lights are *off*, it's dark. Or if your computer is *off*, it's not turned on.
👶 For kids: Not working or turned on. Like when the lights are *off* at night.
More Examples
The computer is off.
The game is off.
How It's Used
"The lights were off due to a power outage."
Idioms & expressions
off the record
Not for public dissemination; confidential.
"The journalist was told the information off the record."
off the cuff
Without preparation; impromptu.
"He gave his speech off the cuff."
off and on
Intermittently; at intervals.
"It rained off and on all day."
off-limits
Not to be entered or used; forbidden
"The restricted area was off-limits to civilians."
From Old English *of, æf, af* (preposition, adverb), Proto-Germanic *ab-* (away, off). Related to Old Frisian *of*, Old Saxon *af*, Old High German *aba*, and Gothic *af*.
Used extensively in Old English for spatial and directional relationships. Also used for separation and cessation.