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 One way or another, Mulvany Henry agreed, the UG’s charges need to get off BPU bills. Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Black has stayed close with his younger co-stars over the years, but a movie sequel has never gotten off the ground. Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 Finally, for those looking to get off the mainland, Villa Cin Cin in St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands sits outside of Cruz Bay and was custom-built to have identical primary ensuite bedrooms so everyone has the best room in the house. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024 The woman was walking east along the trail when a man rode past her, got off his bike and grabbed her, the sheriff’s office said. Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 Under Armour stock slipped after investors found out its old CEO is getting off the bench. Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 Raspberries guitarist Wally Bryson played on Winter Dreams, setting the stage for a full Raspberries reunion that got off to a very rocky start. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024 The new campaign gets off to a bizarre start thanks to the relative lack of drama at the top of the grid. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 This was a relief after the winter season got off to a sludgy start: There were ballets by the company’s former leader, Peter Martins (blah), and programs that fizzled, particularly those that featured Jerome Robbins but didn’t show him at his best. Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 8 Mar. 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 28 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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