switch off
phrasal verb
switched off; switching off; switches off
1
: to turn off (something) by turning or pushing a button or moving a switch, lever, etc.
He switched off the light/lamp.
He switched the TV off.
2
informal
: to stop paying attention
When the topic turned to the stock market, he switched off.
Examples of switch off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
CEOs are struggling to switch off, Ko says, and making high-stakes decisions while their mental batteries are drained.
—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Russian MiG-31 interceptors flew over Estonia for about 12 minutes with transponders – onboard devices that automatically respond to radar signals by transmitting an aircraft’s identity and altitude, enabling air traffic control and air defense systems to track it – switched off.
—Frederic Lemieux, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Cancer is clever, however, and knows how to switch off these powerful fighters.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Unplug the washer or switch off the circuit breaker.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for switch off
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.
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Russian MiG-31 interceptors flew over Estonia for about 12 minutes with transponders – onboard devices that automatically respond to radar signals by transmitting an aircraft’s identity and altitude, enabling air traffic control and air defense systems to track it – switched off.
—Frederic Lemieux, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Cancer is clever, however, and knows how to switch off these powerful fighters.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Unplug the washer or switch off the circuit breaker.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for switch off
Cite this Entry
“Switch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/switch%20off. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
