to cause (a device) to stop operating by or as if by moving a switch, knob, or lever; turn off
informal to cease to interest or be interested; make or become bored, alienated, etc
Noun use of verb phrase switch off
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After the switch-off point, geomagnetic storms became less extreme and followed a 27-day pattern.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026
"Every start and switch-off of the engine counts as one cycle," he explained.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2025
The switch-off will begin on a smaller scale, and affected homes and businesses will be contacted by suppliers "well ahead of time", the energy department said.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2025
The research team found the switch-off protein using advanced technology predicting unknown proteins.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 29, 2024
"With a switch-off from automatic if they should fail."
From What Need of Man? by Calin, Harold
By then, Solar Cycle 25 should reach the newly identified "switch off" point, allowing scientists to base their calculations on direct observations instead of projections.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026
Iran's energy ministry urged citizens to reduce electricity use and switch off air conditioners in peak hours after the power grid came under strain.
From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026
New RNA-based drugs target the genetic instructions inside cells to lower cholesterol or blood pressure, while therapies based on Crispr, a gene-editing technology, will permanently switch off genes that drive heart disease.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
A UK government consultation on whether to set a minimum age for social media ends on Tuesday, with ministers also considering other measures including requiring platforms to switch off addictive features.
From BBC ● May 25, 2026
“Having fun on your vacation day?” she said to Izzy, and Mia saw a light in Izzy switch off.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
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.
