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

The child screamed for help during the incident, while Pambianchi yelled for Schmidt to get off of the child, Pambianchi said. — Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026

That level of involvement is necessary and is how most companies get off the ground. — Troy Nelson, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Truelove has reportedly traveled through the Sonoran Desert region, according to a 2023 profile in the Los Angeles Times that focused on his bout with homelessness on the West Coast after getting off of probation in Virginia. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

For those who need to get off their smart phone and into nature, these are the perfect nails for a day spent reconnecting with the earth. — Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 19 July 2026

Christopher Nolan‘s box office journey with The Odyssey looks to be one for the books, as Universal Pictures‘ star-studded adaptation of the classical Greek mythological tale gets off to a rousing start in its opening weekend. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026

That season got off to an exciting start, fueled by DeBrincat (and then Kane), and offered hope that the tide was turning. — Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Everyone is struggling to get off their phones and pay attention, but some are struggling more than others. — Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Stopping to retrieve a carry-on bag or other personal belongings can delay everyone from getting off the aircraft quickly. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 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