be off

1. Leave, depart, as in I'm off to the races; wish me luck . This phrase, first recorded in 1826, was once commonly used as an imperative, meaning “go away”—as in Be off or I'll call the police —but today is rare in this context.

2. Be in poor condition; be stale or spoiled; not work properly. For example, This milk must be off; it tastes sour , or The kitchen clock is off by at least five minutes . [Early 1990s]

3. Be free from work, school, or some other regular occupation, as in The secretary is off today, but perhaps I can find it . [Mid-1800s]

4. Decline, as in The industrial stocks are off 50 points today . This usage, nearly always applied to securities or other prices, was first recorded in 1929, the year of the great stock market crash.

5. see be off.

Example Sentences

She said nothing in the home would be off limits, allowing fans to “see every detail up close.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I’ll call it right now,” declares Glenn Whipp: “The thrilling ‘Sirât,’ from Spanish filmmaker Oliver Laxe, is going to be named best picture by either the Los Angeles or New York film critics … then it’ll be off to the races for this film, a ‘Sorcerer’ for the 21st century.”

From Los Angeles Times

And then it’ll be off to the races for this film, a ‘Sorcerer’ for the 21st century.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Irving, Texas-based Nexstar announced Wednesday that Kimmel will be off its stations for the foreseeable future.

From Los Angeles Times

If this claimant gets that positive decision, he could be off the removal list for a year on top of that as he waits a final outcome.

From BBC

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