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.
And fortunately for those who enjoy watching the rockets get off the ground, the mission appears to be on track for an evening launch – making conditions ideal to catch the spacecraft in neighboring Arizona. Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025 When the whistle is going, play hard, and when the whistle stops, get off and get away. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025 For instance, a company trying to get off the ground might not be able to part with the cash flows and tax benefits of an R&D project for up to 15 years. Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025 The Rays got off to a good start, taking a 1-0 lead in the first, but, as has been the case often of late, could have had more. Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025 Phoenix got off to a strong start to the season but is just 4-6 over the past 10 games. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025 Hyman, a 27-year-old Cornell graduate, had been working late at Rudin Management’s offices inside 345 Park Avenue on July 28 when Tamura, 27, mistakenly got off the elevator on the wrong floor — intending to target the NFL’s headquarters several levels below. Christina Coulter, People.com, 31 July 2025 Araiza has a booming leg and got off a 72-yarder in 2024. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025 Almost three months have passed since that move was made, and in that time, Pickens has not only gotten off on the right foot both on and off the field with the team, he’s formed a close friendship with the man looking for some help all along in Lamb. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 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 19 Aug. 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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