turn off

British  

verb

1. to leave (a road, pathway, etc)

2. (of a road, pathway, etc) to deviate from (another road, etc)

3. (tr, adverb) to cause (something) to cease operating by turning a knob, pushing a button, etc

   to turn off the radio

4. informal (tr) to cause (a person, etc) to feel dislike or distaste for (something)

   this music turns me off

5. informal (tr, adverb) to dismiss from employment

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noun

1. a road or other way branching off from the main thoroughfare

2. informal a person or thing that elicits dislike or distaste

turn off Idioms  

1. Stop the operation, activity, or flow of; shut off, as in Turn off the lights when you leave . [Mid-1800s]

2. Affect with dislike, revulsion, or boredom; cause to lose interest. For example, That vulgar comedian turned us off completely , or The movie was all right for an hour or so, but then I was turned off . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

Authorities say the fire started in the carport after Hales, 46, failed to turn off a propane tank to a stove she was using to make tortilla chips and left it on overnight.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Days later, Kate and Andy made the difficult decision to turn off Ann's life support.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Such moves can put operations at risk if a company decides to turn off its tools or change settings, they have said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

For example, a protein might briefly activate, then turn off, and later switch on again.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

I turn off the flashlight and sit in Uhmma’s seat.

From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na

Related Words

• alienate
• bore
• irritate
• offend