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

Synonyms

• bail
• bail out
• begone
• book [slang]
• bug off
• bug out
• bugger off [British slang]
• buzz (off)
• clear off [chiefly British]
• clear out
• cut out
• depart
• dig out
• exit
• get
• go
• go off
• move
• pack (up or off)
• part
• peel off
• pike (out or off)
• pull out
• push off
• push on
• quit
• run along
• sally (forth)
• scarper [British]
• shove (off)
• step (along)
• take off
• vamoose
• walk out

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

Since 2009, when an H1N1 swine flu pandemic swept around the world before vaccine production could get off the ground, researchers and governments have been looking for alternatives. —Arthur Allen, CBS News, 29 May 2024

Against the hard-hitting Phillies, the Giants got off to a hot start. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 27 May 2024

The Sparks got off to a quick start thanks to the play of Dearica Hamby, who had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists in the first half as the team cruised to a comfortable lead at the break. —Andrés Soto, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2024

Peterson got off with six years of probation after pleading guilty to being an accessory in Slemmer's murder. —Christina Coulter, Fox News, 24 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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