wobbled off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wobbled off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something moving away in an unsteady or uncoordinated manner. Example: "After a few drinks, he wobbled off down the street, trying to maintain his balance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The soprano Linda Watson, who sang Brünnhilde, sometimes had a steely edge to her sound, and many of her top notes wobbled off pitch.

The New York Times - Arts

A referee in Belarus, 43-year-old Sergei Shmolik, was ridiculed, then suspended after he wobbled off the field during a game in July.

The New York Times - Sports

THE last Reliant Robin, a three-wheeled British car with all the aerodynamic grace of an overturned fishing boat, has wobbled off the assembly line and into automotive history.

The New York Times

After retrieving the bottle of amber liquor, he poured it into plastic cups or mixed it with Snapple, handing one to a customer who wobbled off from his barrel at the corner of Utica Avenue and Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

Good Days for Bad Teams A few minutes after Ben Roethlisberger wobbled off the field with a possible concussion, Ryan Succop kicked a 22-yard field goal in overtime and the Chiefs snapped a team-record 10-game home losing streak with a 27-24 victoverover the Steelers.

The New York Times

Cuthbert was left red-faced at the penalty attempt as the ball wobbled off the tee, resulting in a trundling effort that barely got off the ground, but a cheap Gloucester knock-on gave the visitors a scrum high up the pitch.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Jacobellis wobbled off-balance as the course banked around a left-hand turn, clipped a gate and was ruled out of bounds.

The New York Times - Sports

So, before I knew it I was wobbling off towards Dagenham.

The Guardian - Travel

The rest stood motionlessly staring at the horizon and occasionally wobbling off into the water.

The Guardian - Travel

Aubrey Huff drilled a line drive off Weaver's buttocks, which caused Weaver to wobble off the mound.

The New York Times - Sports

In the end, Effie's tale -- and Atkinson's whole novel -- becomes burdened with so many extraneous and forcedly bizarre details that it wobbles off its axis.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wobbled off" to vividly describe a character's physical state or the movement of an object that lacks stability. It's particularly effective when emphasizing a lack of control or balance.

Common error

Avoid using "wobbled off" in highly formal or technical writing. While grammatically correct, it carries a slightly informal tone that might be inappropriate for academic or business reports. Instead, opt for more neutral alternatives like "moved away unsteadily".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wobbled off" is that of a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of moving away in an unsteady manner, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

13%

Sports

13%

Less common in

Science & Research

4%

Travel

8%

Food

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wobbled off" is a phrasal verb used to describe moving away in an unsteady fashion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts, with neutral formality. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in strictly formal writing where alternatives like "moved unsteadily" might be more appropriate. The provided examples vividly illustrate its use in various descriptive scenarios, painting a clear picture of unsteady departures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wobbled away

Similar to "wobbled off" but emphasizes the continuous wobbling motion.

staggered away

Implies a more pronounced lack of balance, often due to intoxication or injury.

tottered off

Suggests a feeble or unsteady gait, especially due to age or weakness.

reeled away

Indicates a sudden loss of balance, as if from a blow or shock.

teetered off

Implies being on the verge of falling while moving away.

lurched off

Describes an abrupt and uncontrolled movement, lacking coordination.

stumbled off

Indicates a trip or near-fall during the departure.

limped off

Suggests a departure with a noticeable difficulty in walking, usually due to an injury.

meandered off

Implies a casual, unhurried departure without a specific destination.

wended its way

Describes something moving slowly and indirectly, often with curves or turns.

FAQs

What does "wobbled off" mean?

"Wobbled off" describes moving or departing in an unsteady or shaky manner, often implying a lack of balance or control.

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

You can use "wobbled off" to describe someone walking unsteadily after an injury or to describe an object moving erratically. For example, "After the hit, the boxer "staggered away"".

What are some synonyms for "wobbled off"?

Some alternatives to "wobbled off" include "staggered away", "tottered off", or "reeled away", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wobbled off" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "wobbled off" is generally more suitable for informal or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives like "moved unsteadily".