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

But if Jackson gets off to a slow start under a new coaching staff, including first-time play-caller Declan Doyle, there’s room to fall. — Jeff Howe, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The center is still getting off the ground, according to an August news release from the state Office of Information Technology Services. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2026

The suspects eventually got off the bus near 29th Street and F Street, where officers established a perimeter and searched the area. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

The pair got off the RT bus near 29th and F streets and fled. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Carswell, promoted from defensive coordinator, got off to an 0-2 start with losses to state powers North Gwinnett and Sandy Creek. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Isar didn’t obtain a substantial up-front investment from the German government to get off the ground, but German leaders are keen to frame the company’s successful launch as key to European sovereignty. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026

The Jets started last season 0-7 and couldn’t get off the mat, finishing tied for the worst record in football at 3-14. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

The James Franklin era at Virginia Tech got off to an emphatic start on Saturday with the Hokies trouncing VMI by a count of 73-3. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 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