off

Universal Words adverb, preposition, adjective, noun adverb HELPNOTE For the special uses of off in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example come off is in the phrasal verb section at come. 1 away from a place; at a distance in space or time: I called him but he ran off. * Sarah's off in India somewhere. * I must be off soon (= leave). * Off you go! * Summer's not far off now. * A solution is still some way off. 2 used to say that sth has been removed: He's had his beard shaved off. * Take your coat off. * Don't leave the toothpaste with the top off. 3 starting a race: They're off (= the race has begun). 4 no longer going to happen; cancelled: The wedding is off. 5 not connected or functioning: The water is off. * Make sure the TV is off. 6 (especially BrE) (of an item on a menu) no longer available or being served: Sorry, the duck is off. 7 away from work or duty: She's off today. * I've got three days off next week. * How many days did you take off? * I need some time off. 8 taken from the price: shoes with ｣5 off * All shirts have / are 10% off. 9 behind or at the sides of the stage in a theatre SYNOFFSTAGE IDIOMS be better off to have more money: Families will be better off under the new law. * Her promotion means she's $100 a week better off. be better off (doing sth) used to say that sb is/would be happier or more satisfied if they were in a particular position or took a particular action: She's better off without him. * The weather was so bad we'd have been better off staying at home. be off for sth (informal) to have a particular amount of sth: How are we off for coffee (= how much have we got)? seealsoBADLYOFF off and on / on and off from time to time; now and again: It rained on and off all day. preposition HELPNOTE For the special uses of off in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example take sth off sth is in the phrasal verb section at take. 1 down or away from a place or at a distance in space or time: I fell off the ladder. * Keep off the grass! * an island off the coast of Spain * They were still 100 metres off the summit. * Scientists are still a long way off finding a cure. * We're getting right off the subject. 2 leading away from sth, for example a road or room: We live off Main Street. * There's a bathroom off the main bedroom. 3 used to say that sth has been removed: You need to take the top off the bottle first! * I want about an inch off the back of my hair. 4 away from work or duty: He's had ten days off school. 5 away from a price: They knocked ｣500 off the car. 6 (off of) (non-standard or AmE, informal) off; from: I got it off of my brother. 7 not wanting or liking sth that you usually eat or use: I'm off (= not drinking) alcohol for a week. * He's finally off drugs (= he no longer takes them). adjective [notbeforenoun] 1 (of food) no longer fresh enough to eat or drink: This fish has gone off. * The milk smells off. * It's off. 2 ~ (with sb) (informal, especially BrE) not polite or friendly: He was a bit off with me this morning. 3 (informal, especially BrE) not acceptable: It's a bit off expecting us to work on Sunday. noun [sing.] (the off) the start of a race: They're ready for the off.