be off

¹

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

3. 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.

4. 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]

off, be

²

Example Sentences

But they can be off the mark, and they do change.

From BBC

The street lamps may be off, but shops and restaurants are brightly lit.

From BBC

"They would say it was all in my head and I was just trying to be off school," she said.

From BBC

But, she thinks the visitors will be off again soon.

From BBC

But phones would be off limits once the opening bell rings, including lunch or nutrition and other breaks, until the end of the school day.

From Los Angeles Times