get off

verb

got off; got off or gotten off; getting off; gets off

intransitive verb

1
: to avoid the most serious consequences of a dangerous situation or punishment
got off with a light sentence
2
: start, leave
got off on the trip early
3
: to leave work with permission or as scheduled
4
: to get high on a drug
5
: to experience orgasm
6
: to experience great pleasure
often used with on

transitive verb

1
: to secure the release of or procure a modified penalty for
his lawyers got him off
2
a
: utter
get off a joke
b
: to write and send
3
: to succeed in doing, making, or delivering
4
: to cause to get off

Examples of get off in a Sentence

told him to get off for home before it got dark breakfast helps you get off to a good start in the morning
Recent Examples on the Web Lynch adds another wrinkle to the mix that could bode well: When the stock market gets off to a strong start to the year, the momentum usually continues. The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024 In the world of Hollywood award shows, this year got off to a turbulent start. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 Apple’s plans to comply with the European Union’s new rules governing big tech have already gotten off to an interesting start, and not just because Apple pulled Epic Games’ developer license. Emma Roth, The Verge, 7 Mar. 2024 His own got off to a rocky start; according to Perry, his father, Coy Luther II, was a violent drunk who abused his mother. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Production got off to a late start that day because the camera crew had quit the previous evening. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 She was last seen near Dewey Square wearing a black coat and khaki pants after getting off the bus at the station, officers said. Paloma Chavez, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 Los Angeles’ Frieze week got off to a hot start in a fairly chill environment: a roller rink. Merle Ginsberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2024 First quarter earnings, which got off to an excellent start are conservatively estimated to be up 2%-3% pretax profit margins in the range of 10.9-11.0% and diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.84 to $0.86. Walter Loeb, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'get off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of get off was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near get off

Cite this Entry

“Get off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20off. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

get off

verb
1
: set out sense 2
got off on their camping trip
2
: to escape or help to escape punishment or harm

More from Merriam-Webster on get off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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