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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In what could be an NFC Championship preview, both teams are hoping to get off to a hot start to begin the 2025 NFL season. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 Chapman told the deputies to get off his property, Ridgell said. Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025 Fox 32, the Chicago Sun-Times and CBS Chicago reported, citing prosecutors, that Elijah was getting off a CTA train with a 22-year-old man at the Clinton station in the Loop, when the 22-year-old grabbed money out of the hand of a man and exited the train with Elijah. Liam Quinn, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The Tar Heels got off to a sprint of a start with an 83-yard drive that ended with Caleb Hood scoring through the right side from 8 yards out, followed by forcing a quick punt. Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 For Californians – and often Arizonans – that means plenty of opportunities to watch SpaceX's Falcon 9 get off the ground from Santa Barbara County. Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Colorado football’s third season under head coach Deion Sanders got off to a strong start Friday night in Boulder. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Look no further than Brazil and India facing 50% tariffs while Russia gets off easy. William Pesek, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 The telescope got off the ground on March 12, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Get off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20off. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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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