clear off

USAGE SUMMARY

"Clear off" is a slang expression used to denote leaving in a hurry.
It is considered informal English and should not be used in formal writing. Example: "I need you to clear off right now—I have an important meeting I need to get to!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Clear off!

The New Yorker

I clear off my plate.

The New York Times

They'll clear off the table for you real quick".

The New York Times - Sports

He started to clear off an enormous box.

The New Yorker

One day a storm blows him clear off the charts.

The New York Times - Books

'Pack your bags, clear off.' " Némirovsky and Epstein, of course, did not clear off after the German invasion — a choice that still angers her daughter Denise.

The New York Times - Books

"This storm just means you don't have to clear off the site".

The New Yorker

They all clear off, including the abashed groom, who gives up without a fight.

The New Yorker

Maybe the youngsters would clear off when faced with such large police numbers.

The Guardian

Suddenly, people felt it was OK to suggest they should clear off 'home'home

The Guardian

They told me: 'If you want to stay alive clear off.' Of course I left.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear off" in informal settings or when you need to express urgency. In formal situations, consider alternatives like "please leave" or "depart immediately".

Common error

Avoid using "clear off" in professional emails or formal reports. Its informal nature can undermine your credibility. Choose more appropriate alternatives depending on context.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "clear off" primarily functions as an imperative, used to command or strongly suggest that someone leaves a place. As seen in Ludwig, it's a direct way to tell someone to go away. Its strength can range from a casual request to a forceful order.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

9%

Encyclopedias

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "clear off" is a common and direct way to tell someone to leave, or to remove things from a surface. As noted by Ludwig, its informal register makes it unsuitable for formal contexts. While prevalent in news, media and wiki sources, its use should be carefully considered depending on the audience and situation. Be mindful of the potential for rudeness, and consider more polite alternatives where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go away

A simple and direct way to tell someone to leave.

get out of here

Expresses a demand for someone to leave a place.

leave immediately

Emphasizes the urgency of departure.

remove yourself

A formal way of requesting someone's departure.

depart at once

A more formal way of saying leave immediately.

take off

Implies a quick or sudden departure.

scram

An informal and abrupt way to tell someone to leave.

be off with you

An older, slightly theatrical way to dismiss someone.

vanish

Emphasizes a sudden and complete disappearance.

evacuate the premises

Suggests a more organized or urgent departure, often due to danger.

FAQs

How can I use "clear off" in a sentence?

"Clear off" can be used to tell someone to leave abruptly. For example, "The security guard told the loiterers to clear off."

What's a less rude way to say "clear off"?

Instead of the abrupt "clear off", you could say "please leave", "could you excuse us", or "I must ask you to leave" depending on the situation.

Is "clear off" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "clear off" is generally too informal for formal writing. Use more professional alternatives like "depart" or "vacate" instead.

What does "clear off" mean when referring to a surface?

In reference to a surface, "clear off" means to remove items from it. For example, "Please clear off the table before dinner."