Phrasal verbs with off

Setting out and leaving

• set offWe set off at dawn.
• take offThe plane took off ten minutes late.
• head offI had better head off before it gets dark.

Switching and shutting off

• switch offPlease switch off your phones.
• turn offTurn the tap off when you brush your teeth.
• shut offThey shut off the water while the pipes were repaired.

Cutting and separating

• cut offHe cut off a slice of cheese.
• tear offTear off the coupon at the bottom of the page.
• break offShe broke off a piece of chocolate and shared it.

Particle meanings are a guide, not a rule. Many verbs mean something quite different from their parts, so check each one.

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