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.
With the Oilers coming off a Game 1 overtime win and the fans still feeling bliss, Friday’s game got off to a blistering start. Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 7 June 2025 Perhaps fortunately, the Yankees also got off to a slow start, so the Red Sox are now nine games off New York's pace at the top of the division, compared to 12 1/2 games at the same point last season. Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 The glitchy livestream got off to an inauspicious start, with technical difficulties delaying the event for almost an hour. Spriha Srivastava,sam Meredith, CNBC, 6 June 2025 Evidence shows that when school meals are too healthy, a sizable portion of kids simply get off the lunch line. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025 An introductory press conference will be held at the Bruins’ offices on Causeway Street on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Two decades ago, Sturm and B’s fans didn’t exactly get off on the right foot with each other, through no fault of the player. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 5 June 2025 Dobbins got off to a roaring start last fall, rushing for 266 yards and two touchdowns over the Chargers’ first two games of the season. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 4 June 2025 Trevin Wallace Role: Starting inside linebacker Wallace got off to a bit of a slow start during his rookie year. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2025 The struggling third baseman hasn’t gotten off to the best start this season. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 June 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 11 Jun. 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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