off-ramp

Or off·ramp

[awf-ramp, of-]

noun

1. an exit lane for traffic from a turnpike or freeway to a street.

off-ramp

noun

1. a short steep one-way road by which traffic can leave a motorway or highway

Word History and Origins

Origin of off-ramp¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

He said that the off-ramp was focused on giving Democrats a vote on an extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies along with plans for the spending bills.

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The federal closure appears almost certain to become the longest in history, with no major breakthroughs expected before it goes into its sixth week at midnight -- although there were fragile signs in Congress that an off-ramp is closer than ever.

Read more on Barron's

You’re on your way to work and you just think, ‘What if I just took this off-ramp and I fled the scene and it would be all over?’

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Like a driver hunting for an off-ramp on an unfamiliar highway, officials risk blowing past the exit if they wait too long.

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Optimists point to a possible Nov. 1 off-ramp, since that’s the end to many federal food benefits.

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Related Words

• turnoff