Topic: TRADE
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off1 S1 W1
1 away from a place : He got into his car and drove off. Suddenly they turned off and parked in a side road. Once we were off the main freeway, the trip felt more like a vacation. Her husband was off on a business trip somewhere. Are you ready? Off we go. I must be off now (=I must leave). They were off to Italy (=leaving to go to Italy) and wanted to make an early start.
He got into his car and drove off.Suddenly they turned off and parked in a side road.Once we were off the main freeway, the trip felt more like a vacation.Her husband was off on a business trip somewhere.Are you ready? Off we go.I must be off now (=I must leave).They were off to Italy (=leaving to go to Italy) and wanted to make an early start.2 not on something, or removed from something : Keep off the grass. As he leaned forward, his hat fell off. Someone had taken the mirror off the wall. Take your coat off. I was trying to scrape the mud off my boots. ! Do not say 'off of' something. Say off something: Get off the bus at the airport (NOT Get off of the bus at the airport).
Keep off the grass.As he leaned forward, his hat fell off.Someone had taken the mirror off the wall.Take your coat off.I was trying to scrape the mud off my boots.3TT out of a bus, train, plane etc [≠ on]: I'll get off at the next stop. Everyone got off the train at Winnipeg.
I'll get off at the next stop.Everyone got off the train at Winnipeg.4T a machine, piece of equipment etc that is off is not working or operating [≠ on]: Will someone switch the radio off? Make sure all the lights are off.
Will someone switch the radio off?Make sure all the lights are off.5BE not at work, school etc because you are ill or on holiday [↪ absent]: My secretary's been off with flu for the past week. Clare had to stay off school because her mother was ill. You look tired. Why don't you take tomorrow off? He needs more time off duty for relaxation and rest.
My secretary's been off with flu for the past week.Clare had to stay off school because her mother was ill.You look tired. Why don't you take tomorrow off?He needs more time off duty for relaxation and rest.6 informal from someone : My brother once borrowed some money off him. I got this necklace off a woman outside the market.
My brother once borrowed some money off him.I got this necklace off a woman outside the market.7
a) used to say how far away something is : We could see the cliffs of Shetland about two miles off. Kara's home was a long way off across the sea.
We could see the cliffs of Shetland about two miles off.Kara's home was a long way off across the sea.b) used to say how much time there is between now and a future event : With the exams now only a week off, I had to study hard. Christmas seemed a long way off.
With the exams now only a week off, I had to study hard.Christmas seemed a long way off.c) used to say how likely or unlikely something is : Any kind of peace agreement still seems a long way off.
Any kind of peace agreement still seems a long way off.8
a) only a short distance away from a place : Our hotel was just off the main street. an island off the coast of France
Our hotel was just off the main street.an island off the coast of Franceb) connected to a particular room, area, road etc : There's a small bathroom off the main bedroom. a narrow street leading off the corner of the square
There's a small bathroom off the main bedroom.a narrow street leading off the corner of the square9BBT used to say that a price is reduced by a particular amount : If you buy more than ten, they knock 10% off.
If you buy more than ten, they knock 10% off.10 if an event which has been arranged is off, it will not now take place [↪ cancelled, postponed]: The wedding's off. The race may have to be called off if the bad weather continues.
The wedding's off.The race may have to be called off if the bad weather continues.11 British English informal behaviour that is off is rude or is not acceptable : She walked out before the end of your lecture, which I thought was a bit off. Look, I know when someone's being off with me.
She walked out before the end of your lecture, which I thought was a bit off.Look, I know when someone's being off with me.13 for short periods but not regularly, over a long period of time : We've been going out together for five years, off and on.
off and on
also on and offWe've been going out together for five years, off and on.14 no longer wanting or liking something : Toby's been off his food for a few days.
Toby's been off his food for a few days. go off something/somebody British English I used to enjoy tennis, but I've gone off it a bit now. She seems to have gone off Mark since he's grown a beard.
I used to enjoy tennis, but I've gone off it a bit now.She seems to have gone off Mark since he's grown a beard.15 no longer taking something such as a drug or medicine [≠ on]: The operation was a success, and she's off the morphine.
The operation was a success, and she's off the morphine.16
a) food that is off is no longer fresh enough to eat [↪ rotten, sour]: Ugh! The milk's off.
Ugh! The milk's off.b) used to say that a particular kind of food is not available in a restaurant although it is on the menu : I'm sorry, the fish pie is off today, sir.
I'm sorry, the fish pie is off today, sir.17 American English not as good as usual : Sales figures for last year were a little off compared with those of the previous year.
Sales figures for last year were a little off compared with those of the previous year.18 American English not correct or not right : Our calculations were off.
Our calculations were off.