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

See Examples For:

turn off

"One of the most powerful ways scientists study the QGP is by identifying where its signatures appear -- and just as importantly, where these signatures turn off," she said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026

On Instagram for example, when you turn off the algorithm, you can't see direct messages or access your profile and settings.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

I use the Amazon Echo Show device daily, sometimes to play music, but mostly to set timers and turn off all the lights before bedtime.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Once created, it would be hard to stamp out, because there would be no central switch to turn off.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

As they’re passing a big shopping center, G’ma says, “Ooh, a jewelry store!” and decides to turn off.

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone

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Related Words

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