screen off

USAGE SUMMARY

"screen off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone turning off a display screen or to describe the removal of something from a device. For example, "She turned the tablet's screen off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You can even turn the screen off and let the voice alone guide you.

The New York Times

One is to screen off the two surfaces from each other.

The New York Times - Science

They had to screen off the house to protect their women.

The Guardian

Second, ensure that the phone is locked with the screen off, as its backlight uses quite a lot of energy.

The Guardian - Tech

To me, the point is you turn the screen off and listen to yourself and maybe you'll have an idea.

The Guardian - Music

It isn't useful as a nightstand, but the watch can be charged with the screen off, while some others cannot.

The Guardian - Tech

In recent years, she has added a trellis and planted vines to screen off the air-conditioning units on the south side of the old brick warehouse.

The New York Times

It cannot be charged with the screen off, which could be an issue at night as the watch is quite bright.

The Guardian - Tech

A complete charge takes about an hour and can be charged with the screen off at night, which others, like the Motorola Moto 360, can't.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

So many games these days just sack split-screen off, because developers know that the vast majority of people choose to play online.

Vice

Standby is very impressive here, too, as HTC has managed to almost attain the kind of screen-off energy savings that still make the iPad stand out above the rest of the tablet field when it comes to power management.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a device's power state, use "turn the screen off" for clarity. For example, "Remember to turn the screen off to conserve battery."

Common error

Avoid using "screen off" when you mean to completely power down a device. "Screen off" usually refers to turning off the display, not the entire device. Use "power down" or "turn off the device" for the latter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "screen off" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of deactivating a display screen, often to save power or prevent distractions, as demonstrated in the examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "screen off" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe deactivating a display screen. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase appears frequently in news articles, scientific papers, and wiki-based how-to guides. Its primary function is to instruct or describe a device's state, often in the context of saving power or preventing distractions. While "screen off" is generally accepted, it is important to distinguish it from completely powering down a device. Related phrases include "turn off the screen" and "deactivate the screen". Remember to use "turn the screen off" for clarity and to avoid implying the device is completely powered down.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn off the screen

Focuses specifically on the action of deactivating the display.

deactivate the screen

Similar to turning off, but emphasizes the deactivation process.

switch off the display

Uses "switch off" instead of "screen off", referring to display.

blank the screen

Implies making the screen go blank, synonymous with turning it off.

obscure the view

Shifts focus to blocking the view, implying something is being covered.

block from sight

Emphasizes preventing something from being seen.

shield from view

Similar to "block from sight" but implies protection or privacy.

hide from sight

Focuses on concealing something.

cover up

A more general term for concealing or obscuring.

mask the area

Specifically suggests covering or concealing a particular area or space.

FAQs

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

You can say, "I like to set my phone to "screen off" after 30 seconds of inactivity." This means the display turns black to save power.

What does it mean to "screen something off"?

To "screen something off" means to hide or separate it, often with a physical barrier or visual obstruction. For instance, you might "screen off" a patio area with plants for privacy.

Is "screen off" the same as turning off a device?

No, "screen off" refers only to deactivating the display. To turn off the entire device, use phrases like "power down" or "turn off the device".

What are some alternative phrases for turning off a screen?

Alternatives include "turn off the screen", "deactivate the screen", or "blank the screen", depending on the specific context.