Get off meaning
Get off means to leave a bus, train, plane, boat or bike. It can also mean to finish work and leave at the end of the day.
get off something
get off · got · getting
We got off the train one stop too early.
Get off meanings and examples
4 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.
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1
Leave a bus, train, plane, boat or bike
get off something
- We got off the train one stop too early.
- Which stop do I get off at for the museum?
- She got off the plane looking really tired.
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2
Finish work and leave at the end of the day
get off something
- What time do you get off work on Fridays?
- I get off at six, so let’s meet at seven.
- She can’t get off early this week.
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3
Move away from something or stop touching someone
get off somebody or something
- Get off the sofa, Max! You’re all wet.
- Hey, get off me! That hurts.
- Please get off the grass. It’s just been cut.
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4
Get only a small punishment, or none at all
get off
- He broke the law but got off with a small fine.
- You got off lightly this time.
- She didn’t get off so easily the second time.
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use get off in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is get off separable?
Get off is not separable when you leave a vehicle. The vehicle comes after off: get off the bus, get off it. You can also use it alone: This is my stop, I’m getting off.
Get something off, with the thing in the middle, means remove it: I can’t get this ring off. Get the lid off for me?
Verb tenses for get off
| Present | I get off · she gets off |
|---|---|
| Past | got off |
| Present perfect | have got off (US: have gotten off) |
| -ing form | getting off |
Common mistakes with get off
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: I got off from the bus at the station.
Right: I got off the bus at the station.
No from after get off.
Wrong: We got off the car and walked.
Right: We got out of the car and walked.
For cars and taxis, use get out of.
Wrong: I get off of work at five.
Right: I get off work at five.
Off of is very informal US speech. In standard English, drop of.
Synonyms and opposites of get off
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- get outleave a car, room or building
- alighta very formal word used in train and bus announcements
Get off quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
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1This is our stop. We need to ___ now.
Get off means leave a bus or train.
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2Choose the right sentence.
Get off is followed straight by the vehicle, with no from.
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3He broke a window but only had to pay for it. What can you say?
Get off lightly means get a smaller punishment than you expected.
More phrasal verbs with get
All phrasal verbs with get, by level, with an exercise
19 phrasal verbs start with get. Test yourself on all of them in a few minutes.
- get upA1get out of bed after you sleep
- get onA2go onto a bus, train, plane, boat or bike
- get backA2return home or to a place where you were before
- get inA2enter a car, a taxi, a building or a small space
- get outA2leave a car, a room or a building
- get intoA2go inside a car, a building or a small space
- get overB1feel better after an illness
- get alongB1like each other and be friendly
- get aroundB1travel or move from place to place
- get togetherB1meet other people, usually to spend time together
- get byB2manage to live or do something with just enough money, skill or help
- get throughB2pass an exam or reach the next stage of a competition
- get awayB2escape from a person or a place
- get away withB2do something wrong and not be punished for it
- get aheadB2be successful in your job or in life
- get on withB2start or continue doing something, especially work, after a pause
- get out ofB2avoid doing something you should do, often with an excuse
- get down toB2start doing something seriously and with full attention
Get off FAQ
Questions people ask about get off.
What does get off my back mean?
It is an informal way to say stop criticising me or telling me what to do. It can sound rude: Get off my back, I’ll do it later!
What does get off with a warning mean?
It means the police or a teacher only warned you and did not punish you. He was driving too fast but got off with a warning.
What does get off the phone mean?
It means stop using the phone. Can you get off the phone? I need to call Mum. Get on the phone means start a call.
Use get off in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.