a device that shuts something off, esp a machine control
a stoppage or cessation
to stem the flow of
to block off the passage through
to isolate or separate
Stop the flow or passage of, as in They shut off the water while repairs were being made . [Early 1800s]
Close off, isolate, as in Loners shut themselves off from the community . [First half of 1800s]
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An extended shut-off of jet fuel and diesel from the Middle East into the global market could pit the fuel-poor U.S. coasts against Europe and Asia for supplies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 7, 2026
But the gas is still off and electricity bills keep mounting this winter, leaving her in fear of another shut-off.
From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2026
America’s workplaces have been getting safer for more than a century now—cleaner, fewer fire risks, auto shut-off switches on tools, and even eye goggles and steel-toed boots.
From Barron's ● Nov. 15, 2025
Shut-off valve: All water heaters should have shut-off valves to block water or gas flow in event of a leak.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 14, 2023
“We have to turn the shut-off valve, take the pipe apart, put on a new connector, and stick it back together again.”
From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau
Canada, and Mexico have all trekked off to bed and told the remaining guests to shut off the lights and make sure the cat’s inside.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
The model developer has since shut off access to both systems to all customers to ensure compliance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026
The film is a distinctly modern rumination on the desire to shut off and watch the world go by, without forming an opinion on the horrors.
From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2026
To return to pre-conflict levels will take six months to year, or perhaps even longer, depending on what kind of damage occurred when wells were shut off, he said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 1, 2026
He shut off and turned away, ignoring Tyson.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
