make off

verb

made off; making off; makes off

intransitive verb

: to leave in haste
Phrases
make off with
: to take away
especially : grab, steal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Bowman said preliminary indications show the men allegedly were trying to take copper wire from the site, but were not able to make off with anything. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2023 In 2020, 20 protesters were arrested for blocking trucks, while seven others were cited for entering the plant and trying to make off with a pig. Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2023 Though these changes were approved to ostensibly make access to food easier during the pandemic, authorities argue that Feeding Our Future exploited them to make off with millions. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2022 Meanwhile, in California, jewelry store workers fought off several smash-and-grabbers who attempted to make off with valuable gems. Adam Shaw, Fox News, 1 June 2022 But the truck wasn’t the only thing the man allegedly tried to make off with—the vehicle was also filled with over 1,000 pairs of Kanye West’s coveted sneakers in the back. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2022 Three men make off with a huge amount of cash from a Harlem bookmaking operation, killing five gangsters (two of whom are Mafiosi) and two cops. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2021 As the adults sat around talking, Hadley plotted to make off with the ramekins of almonds and glasses of wine. Gideon Lewis-kraus, The New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2021 Yes, the Beatles wanted to hold your hand, but the Stones wanted to pillage your village, make off with its women, and salt the earth on the way out of town. Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'make off.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1680, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of make off was circa 1680

Dictionary Entries Near make off

Cite this Entry

“Make off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20off. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on make off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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