meal off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meal off" is not correct and usable in written English.
It does not have a meaning that is understood by people who speak English. However, you could use similar phrases such as "skip a meal" or "take a break from eating" which are more commonly used in English. For example, "I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, so I think I'll take a break from eating and have a meal off."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"If it's too hot or cold by a few degrees," Ms. Hicks said, "it can throw the whole meal off".

The New York Times

I rounded the meal off with a cortado coffee, which is an espresso cut with hot milk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These include Omega Protein, maker of fish oil and fish meal, off 62%; Calypte Biomedical, a medical test kit company, 53%; and Delta & Pine Land Co., a cottonseed producer, 52%.

Forbes

We topped the meal off with fruit and a drinkable 'Tbilisi' cognac, shelling out about one hundred bucks in the surprisingly stable new Georgian currency, the Lari, for the three of us.

Forbes

But if you've got a sweet tooth like me, you'll want to cap the meal off with some bite-size desserts, like these mini raspberry brownies.

Huffington Post

6. Jessop's Tavern: Is there anything more colonial than sitting by the fireplace and enjoying a beer while digging into a hearty pot pie and finishing the meal off with some classic cobbler?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

When I was travelling around the world on a 15-month surf trip, I used to eat meals off of the free food shelf in hostels.

BBC

Now it is the promise of entrepreneurship, education, and meals off-campus.

TechCrunch

With mains, the meal lifted off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Take care when ordering coffee after a meal; topping off a meal with a frothy cappuccino would be unthinkable to an Italian.

The Economist

That same night, the meal got off to a sluggish start.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and grammatically accepted phrases like "skip a meal" or "take a break from eating" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "meal off" in formal writing or professional contexts, as it may not be readily understood and could be misinterpreted. Opt for clearer alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meal off" does not have a clearly defined grammatical function in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not considered a correct or usable phrase in written English. However, some examples show it used informally to denote eating at an alternative location or omitting a meal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "meal off" is not considered standard English and, according to Ludwig AI, is grammatically incorrect. While it appears in some contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources, its usage is inconsistent and potentially ambiguous. It could refer to skipping a meal, eating at a different location, or simply taking a break from eating. For clearer communication, it's recommended to use alternative phrases like "skip a meal", "eat out", or "take a break from eating" depending on the intended meaning. In formal writing, it is best to avoid "meal off" altogether.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skip a meal

Focuses on omitting a meal entirely.

take a break from eating

Emphasizes interrupting the act of eating.

finish the meal

Highlights the completion of eating.

complete the meal

Similar to "finish the meal", but with a slightly more formal tone.

end the meal

Directly indicates the conclusion of the meal.

round off the meal

Implies adding a final touch or course to conclude the meal.

cap the meal

Similar to "round off", suggesting a culminating element.

take a meal break

Refers to a scheduled pause for a meal.

eat a meal elsewhere

Indicates eating at a different location.

have a meal out

Specifies eating at a restaurant or outside the home.

FAQs

What does "meal off" mean?

The phrase "meal off" isn't a standard English expression and can be ambiguous. Depending on the context, it might refer to skipping a meal or eating outside of one's home or usual location.

What can I say instead of "meal off"?

You can use alternatives like "skip a meal", "eat out", or "take a break from eating" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "meal off"?

The phrase "meal off" is not considered grammatically correct or standard English. It is better to use alternative phrases that are more widely understood.

How can I use "skip a meal" in a sentence?

You can use "skip a meal" in sentences such as, "I'm too busy to cook tonight, so I'll skip a meal" or "If you're trying to lose weight, you could consider "skipping a meal" once in a while".