walk off

USAGE SUMMARY

"walk off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe walking away from a place or situation. For example, "After having an argument with her husband, the woman walked off in a huff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Why don't I walk off?

The New Yorker

Walk off the field?

The New York Times - Sports

They walk off.

The Guardian - Books

"I walk off the stage in awe".

The New York Times

"Win some, walk off," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I wanted to walk off the court.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

I'll just walk off-set.

Huffington Post

No walk-off homer.

The New York Times - Books

Yoshiyuki Kamei walk-off sacrifice fly.

The New Yorker

July 25 Another walk-off injury.

The New York Times

Those are fun, like walk-off homers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "walk off" to describe recovering from a minor injury, ensure the context clearly indicates that the injury is not serious. For instance, "He twisted his ankle slightly but managed to "walk off" the pain."

Common error

Avoid using "walk off" when describing severe injuries. This phrase is appropriate only for minor discomfort or pain that can be alleviated by movement. Using it for serious injuries can trivialize the situation and appear insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walk off" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating an action of either departing from a place or situation, or recovering from a minor injury by moving around. Ludwig's examples show it used in both contexts, from leaving arguments to recovering from sports injuries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "walk off" is a versatile phrasal verb with multiple meanings, primarily denoting departure or recovery from minor injuries through movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or scientific writing. When using "walk off", ensure clarity regarding its intended meaning, whether it's abandoning a situation or attempting to alleviate minor discomfort. Keep in mind that Ludwig's examples are mostly from news outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave abruptly

Emphasizes the suddenness and unexpected nature of the departure.

abandon the scene

Focuses on leaving a place, often implying a negative context or responsibility avoidance.

recover by moving

Highlights the recuperative aspect of walking after a minor injury.

stroll away

Suggests a casual and unhurried departure.

step away

Indicates a temporary or short departure.

retreat from

Implies withdrawing from a situation, often due to danger or discomfort.

take a hike

An informal way of telling someone to leave.

abscond from

Suggests a secretive and often illegal departure.

flee the area

Highlights a hasty and often fearful departure.

exit quickly

Focuses on the speed of leaving a location.

FAQs

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

You can use "walk off" to describe leaving a situation, like "He decided to "walk off" after the argument", or to recover from a minor injury, such as "She tried to "walk off" the cramp".

What are some synonyms for "walk off"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "leave abruptly" to indicate departure or "recover by moving" when referring to healing from a minor injury.

Is it appropriate to use "walk off" in formal writing?

While "walk off" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

What does it mean when someone says a sports team had a "walk off" win?

In sports, a "walk off" win refers to a victory that occurs in the final inning or play, allowing the winning team to immediately leave the field without needing to play further.