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

---

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]

---

Example Sentences

Turn off the lights, give it your full attention, and discover one of the most singular, original artists of our time.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2025

Turn off all but one light, so you’ll know when the power is back without risking a surge.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2025

Turn off the nightly news if it’s stressing you and try reading things that have a more in-depth look and critical analysis of problems, so you are not basing your assumptions on emotional reasoning.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2023

“Mel, I want you to shut down. Turn off everything but the dictation app.”

From Slate • Sep. 30, 2023

“What in the world are you doing? Turn off that—” Rachel scooped up her remote control and shut off the music.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• alienate
• bore
• irritate
• offend