waver off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waver off" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered correct.
It could be interpreted as a variation of "wave off," which means to dismiss or reject something, but "waver off" is not standard. Example: "He tried to waver off the criticism, insisting that he was doing his best."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But on GoldenEye I just tried to keep it simple and I didn't try to waver off into some strange path.

The Guardian - Film

The well-known Mario Giacomelli is the farthest out, shooting the abstract patterns made by farmed and tilled earth from an aerial perspective, as in his "Consciousness of Nature" (1970), in which the wide, erratically combed lines of a snowy plowed tract, broken by trees, waver off into the distance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We never wavered off that.

The New York Times - Sports

Mrs. Payson wavered off and picked some greener They placed a wreathe at Mr. Paysons feet, and pressed one on his brow.

The New Yorker

Two guys brushed leaflet-wavers off.

Vice

Its axis — highlighted by a line Els draws on his ball — never wavered off the path directly to the middle of the hole.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not hard to believe that Jon spreads magic dust, because membership is dictated only by desire, yet every month 10 or 12 gents gather and spend an hour and a half in earnest discussion of a chosen book, wavering off the subject only from time to time and engaging hardly at all in the act of cruising (at least not noticeably).

Huffington Post

The government now has its own sources of revenue and patronage to buy off wavering factions.

The Economist

But his presence complicates Mr. McConnell's ability to pick off wavering Democrats by moving to the center.

The New York Times

The Democratic majority on the committee, meanwhile, resisted the temptation to make the bill so liberal as to put off wavering Republicans: Patrick Leahy, the chairman, withdrew a potential deal-breaker in the form of an amendment to allow gay Americans to sponsor their partners for visas.So is immigration reform all but admitted, so to speak?

The Economist

Too much chumminess with republicans might turn off wavering DUP voters before next summer's European parliamentary elections.In this section A rod for our backs When it gets personal Opting out of opting out Jaw-jaw, please Last of the big spenders Recession-proof?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more established phrasal verbs like "wave off" (to dismiss something) or "waver" (to be indecisive) instead of "waver off" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "waver off" when you intend to convey the meaning of "wave off" (to dismiss or reject) or simply "waver" (to be indecisive). Using the correct phrase ensures your meaning is clear and avoids grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The intended grammatical function of "waver off" seems to be that of a phrasal verb, aiming to describe the action of deviating or moving away from something. However, Ludwig indicates that this phrase isn't standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "waver off" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable construction. While it appears in a few sources, Ludwig indicates that it's not standard English. It seems to be intended to convey the idea of deviating or moving away from something, similar to "stray from" or "drift away from". Given its non-standard nature, it's advisable to use established alternatives like "wave off" (to dismiss) or simply "waver" (to be indecisive) to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviate from

Implies a departure from a planned or expected course.

stray from

Suggests wandering or diverging from a path, both literally and figuratively.

drift away from

Indicates a gradual movement away from a specific point or idea.

veer from

Implies a sudden change in direction or opinion.

back down from

Suggests withdrawing from a commitment or stance.

recede from

Indicates a gradual retreat or withdrawal.

move away from

Implies a change in position, either physically or in terms of opinion.

shy away from

Suggests avoiding something due to fear or reluctance.

diverge from

Indicates branching off or differing in opinion or direction.

vacillate

Implies indecision and wavering between different opinions or actions.

FAQs

Is "waver off" grammatically correct?

The phrase "waver off" is not standard English and is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to use established phrases like "wave off" or simply "waver" instead.

What does "wave off" mean?

"Wave off" means to dismiss or reject something. It is distinct from the idea of hesitating or being indecisive, which is conveyed by "waver".

Can I use "waver off" in formal writing?

It's advisable to avoid using "waver off" in formal writing due to its non-standard status. Opt for more established and grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clarity and professionalism.

What are some alternatives to expressing hesitation or indecision?

Instead of using "waver off", consider using phrases like "hesitate", "be indecisive", or "vacillate" to convey the meaning of being uncertain or wavering in your decision.