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

Acuff got off to a much better start after struggling to make shots in his summer league debut on Saturday. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

Cape Verde, which got off just one shot in the first half, took the first three shots of the second half push its way back into the match and force extra time. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026

As screen time continues to accelerate, there is an equal and opposite push to get off the phone, get into the real world, and connect. — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 3 July 2026

Ronaldo got off a backward kick with his right foot after a header by teammate João Félix bounced off Simón’s shoulder. — ABC News, 6 July 2026

When Kennedy approached the rider and grabbed the handlebars to check whether the bike was registered, the rider refused to get off and allegedly tried to pull away. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

The Warriors could find a way to get off the final year of Butler’s contract, but that would likely require parting with at least one future first-round pick. — Nick Friedell, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Dolly got off the ground with a run at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville last year. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2026

The next generation of Peachtree runners gets off to a fast start during Friday's Peachtree Junior race. — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 4 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