take excess off

USAGE SUMMARY

"take excess off" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to removing an unnecessary amount of something, such as weight or material. Example: "Please take excess off the top of the cake before serving." Alternative expressions include "remove excess" and "trim excess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

With seven vehicles that run solely on fuel made from cooking oil and 125 vehicles that run on a mix of cooking oil and diesel fuel, the county has begun a program to take excess oil off local restaurateurs' hands free to use it as an alternative energy source.

The New York Times

A "rain garden" is an increasingly popular new feature for urban gardens they absorbs rainwater from the street and move it into planted areas, filtering it into the ground to recharge groundwater and take excess stress off the city's aging storm sewer system.

Forbes

He said the flare had been doing an important job taking excess gas off the production platform.

BBC

Doctors and nurses administer inhalers to ease his breathing and diuretics to take off excess fluid, and admit him to the hospital.

The New York Times

Take off excess weight - Keeping something heavy in your car all the time will slow it down.

WikiHow

After the dress is taken off, cut off the excess fabric using sharp sewing shears.

WikiHow

But the thought of doctors being more willing (able?) to prescribe pills, surgeries and other "tricks" to take off the excess weight makes me want to run for the nearest bag of cookies.

Huffington Post

As dieters, we often think in terms of negatives -- as if those depressing thoughts might motivate us to finally stick to our diet and take off some excess weight.

Huffington Post

Grab a knife or something to take off the excess griptape.

WikiHow

Dip it into the flour and water mixture you made and take off the excess.

WikiHow

Rub down your shoe with it to take off any excess bleach.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take excess off" in technical writing, ensure the specific type of excess being removed is clearly identified. For example, "take excess solder off the circuit board" provides greater clarity.

Common error

While "take excess off" is grammatically correct, it may sound too informal in some professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "remove surplus" or "eliminate overage" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take excess off" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of removing an unnecessary or superfluous amount of something. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase can be applied in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take excess off" is a grammatically correct but somewhat informal phrasal verb used to describe the removal of something superfluous. It appears commonly in "Wiki" and "News & Media" contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is suitable for everyday instructions and descriptions but may be replaced by more formal alternatives in professional settings. Related phrases include "remove surplus" and "eliminate overage", each carrying a slightly different nuance. When writing, consider the context and audience to determine if a more formal alternative is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove surplus

Focuses on the removal of something that is beyond what is needed.

eliminate overage

Emphasizes the act of getting rid of an amount that exceeds the required quantity.

reduce redundancy

Highlights the lessening of something unnecessarily repetitive or duplicated.

trim the fat

An idiomatic expression suggesting the removal of unnecessary elements or costs.

decrease superfluity

Implies a reduction in something that is excessive and unnecessary.

pare down

Suggests a gradual reduction to essentials.

lighten the load

Emphasizes reducing the burden or weight, often metaphorical.

alleviate the burden

Implies reducing something that is causing difficulty or hardship.

cut back on

Focuses on reducing the consumption or use of something.

draw down

Suggests gradually diminishing a supply or resource.

FAQs

How can I use "take excess off" in a sentence?

You can use "take excess off" when you want to express the action of removing or reducing an unnecessary amount of something. For example, "Take excess paint off the brush before applying it to the wall."

What are some alternatives to "take excess off"?

Alternatives include "remove surplus", "eliminate overage", or "trim the fat", depending on the context.

Is "take excess off" formal or informal?

"Take excess off" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "remove surplus" or "decrease superfluity".

What is the difference between "take excess off" and "remove excess"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "take excess off" is slightly more colloquial. "Remove excess" is generally perceived as more direct and can be used in a broader range of contexts.