switch off

phraseA22 meaningsNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To switch off is to stop a machine — or to stop paying attention. Two senses, and the second is far more interesting.

The machine sense is plain and splits round an object. The attention sense describes what happens when a talk goes on too long, since an audience that switches off has stopped listening without leaving the room. There is a third and warmer sense about rest, since switching off at the end of a day means stopping thinking about work, and being unable to switch off is a real complaint.

Definitions of switch off

1phraseturnTo turn a machine or light off.A2
“Please switch off the lights when you leave.”
2phraseswitch offTo stop paying attention, or to stop thinking about work.A2
“He finds it impossible to switch off at weekends.”

Practised in Phrasal Verbs, A Man Called Ove

First appears in chapter 3 of A Man Called Ove.

Practise this word

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switch off

phraseA22 meaningsNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To switch off is to stop a machine — or to stop paying attention. Two senses, and the second is far more interesting.

Definitions of switch off

1phraseturnTo turn a machine or light off.A2
“Please switch off the lights when you leave.”
2phraseswitch offTo stop paying attention, or to stop thinking about work.A2
“He finds it impossible to switch off at weekends.”

Practised in Phrasal Verbs, A Man Called Ove

First appears in chapter 3 of A Man Called Ove.

Practise this word