get off

Friendly

The phrase "get off" is a versatile phrasal verb in English that can have several different meanings depending on the context. Let’s break it down in a simple way.

Basic Meanings and Usage

1. To Leave a Vehicle:

   • Meaning: To exit from a vehicle, like a bus, train, or car.
   • Example: "We need to get off the bus at the next stop."

2. To Escape Consequences:

   • Meaning: To avoid punishment or negative consequences for something.
   • Example: "He was caught cheating on the exam, but he managed to get off with just a warning."

3. To Enjoy Something:

   • Meaning: To experience pleasure or excitement from something, often used informally.
   • Example: "She really gets off on that new rock music."

4. To Complete a Task:

   • Meaning: To finish a task or send something.
   • Example: "I will get off the email before I leave the office."

Advanced Usage

• Legal Context: In legal situations, "get off" can mean to be acquitted or to avoid a conviction.

  • Example: "The lawyer was able to get him off the charges against him."

• Sending Something: It can also mean to send something, like a letter or package.

  • Example: "I’ll get the package off to you by tomorrow."

Synonyms

• Leave (for exiting a vehicle)
• Escape (for avoiding consequences)
• Enjoy (for having fun with something)
• Send (for mailing)

Word Variants

• Get-off: This can refer to the act of leaving a vehicle or the way someone experiences pleasure (often in a sexual context).

Idioms and Related Phrasal Verbs

• Get off the hook: To escape from a difficult situation or responsibility.
  • Example: "He was supposed to help with the project, but he got off the hook when someone else volunteered."

Different Meanings

• To Get High: In slang, "get off" can also refer to using drugs or getting intoxicated.
  • Example: "He likes to get off on the weekends with his friends."

Summary

"Get off" is a phrasal verb that can mean to leave a place, escape consequences, send something, or even enjoy something. The context in which you use it will determine its meaning.

Academic

Verb

1. deliver verbally
   • He got off the best line I've heard in a long time
2. get high, stoned, or drugged
   • He trips every weekend
3. send via the postal service
   • I'll mail you the check tomorrow
4. get out of quickly
   • The officer hopped out when he spotted an illegally parked car
5. alight from (a horse)
6. enjoy in a sexual way
   • He gets off on shoes
7. escape potentially unpleasant consequences; get away with a forbidden action
   • She gets away with murder!
   • I couldn't get out from under these responsibilities
8. cause to be acquitted; get off the hook; in a legal case
   • The lawyer got him off, even though there was no doubt in everybody's mind that he killed his wife
9. transfer
   • The spy sent the classified information off to Russia
10. be relieved of one's duties temporarily
11. leave a vehicle, aircraft, etc.

Synonyms

• trip
• trip out
• turn on
• mail
• hop out
• unhorse
• dismount
• light
• get down
• get away
• get by
• get out
• escape
• send
• send off