drain off
phrasal verb
drained off; draining off; drains off
1
: to cause (a liquid) to flow away from something or to leave the surface of something
When the beans have cooked long enough to be tender, drain off the water and set them aside.
2
: to take (something important or valuable) from something
An independent candidate could drain off votes from either party.
Examples of drain off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dip in egg, letting excess drain off into bowl.
—
Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
This gives icemelt a path to drain off your roof.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
Overwatering can be caused by a pot with poor drainage, the wrong potting medium, or a potting medium that has become old and so compacted that water cannot drain off the roots and air cannot get into the roots.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026
Tucked inside of the park's Yosemite Valley, the Horsetail Fall waterfall comes to life for a short season each year as winter snow and rain runoff drain off El Capitan.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 14 Jan. 2026
When browned, remove from heat, drain off most of the excess grease and set aside.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Place back on the rack to drain off any excess oil.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
It is best served the day it is made but will keep for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator, draining off excess juice if needed.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025
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Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
This gives icemelt a path to drain off your roof.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
Overwatering can be caused by a pot with poor drainage, the wrong potting medium, or a potting medium that has become old and so compacted that water cannot drain off the roots and air cannot get into the roots.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026
Tucked inside of the park's Yosemite Valley, the Horsetail Fall waterfall comes to life for a short season each year as winter snow and rain runoff drain off El Capitan.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 14 Jan. 2026
When browned, remove from heat, drain off most of the excess grease and set aside.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Place back on the rack to drain off any excess oil.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
It is best served the day it is made but will keep for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator, draining off excess juice if needed.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drain off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drain%20off. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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