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 of get off

• depart
• move
• exit
• get
• go
• pull out
• peel off
• push off
• go off
• walk out
• run along
• take off
• cut out
• escape
• start
• bail out
• clear off
• clear out
• step (along)
• push on
• evacuate
• dig 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

Flooding issues could get off to a faster start Wednesday given how soaked the ground is from Tuesday’s storms. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

In March, Melissa Graybill, 52, watched her mother, who is 69, begin an arduous recovery journey after tripping while getting off a horse. — Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 14 July 2026

The week is just starting, so get off on the right foot with these deals! — George Yang, PC Magazine, 13 July 2026

In fact, many were tourists who stumbled on it after getting off the Amtrak, wanting to see the iconic train station. — Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026

As Cashman mentioned, Lombard didn’t get off to the greatest start at Triple-A after the Yankees promoted him at the end of April. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026

Clark got off to a hot start on Thursday under the best course conditions, shooting a 64. — Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

The project has had Hollywood interest for years and is now getting off the ground under filmmakers Colby Holt and Sam Probst, who will write and direct. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026

Heather and Shannon’s relationship got off to a rocky start when the latter joined during season 9. — Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for get off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

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