Synonyms

switch-off

American

[swich-awf, -of] / ˈswɪtʃˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

the act or process of switching off a power supply, light source, appliance, etc.

switch off British

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

switch off Idioms

Stop paying attention, lose interest, as in Whenever he starts in on economics, I switch off automatically. This metaphoric expression transfers turning off a light switch or similar device to diverting one's attention. [c. 1860] Also see switch on.

Etymology

Origin of switch-off

Noun use of verb phrase switch off

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At Villa they were undone by simple errors: a collective switch-off to allow Ollie Watkins to open the scoring was followed by John Victor's ill-advised foray 40 yards from goal which allowed John McGinn to add a killer third goal.

From BBC

After the Games and last year's Worlds, where she defended her individual sprint title and won team sprint gold, she flew to Perth, Australia, with Richardson for two months for a "complete switch-off".

From BBC

"I don't think so," he replied when asked about the switch-off at 24-5.

From BBC

"Every start and switch-off of the engine counts as one cycle," he explained.

From BBC

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023