Idioms for off

Origin of off

orig. stressed variant of of1

usage note for off

The phrasal preposition off of is old in English, going back to the 16th century. Although usage guides reject it as redundant, recommending off without of, the phrase is widespread in speech, including that of the educated: Let's watch as the presidential candidates come off of the rostrum and down into the audience. Off of is rare in edited writing except to give the flavor of speech.

British Dictionary definitions for off and on

Word Origin for off

originally variant of of; fully distinguished from it in the 17th century

usage for off

In standard English, off is not followed by of: he stepped off (not off of) the platform

Idioms and Phrases with off and on (1 of 2)

off and on

Also, on and off.

1

Intermittently, from time to time. For example, I read his column off and on, or We've been working on the garden all summer, on and off. [Early 1500s]

2

Also, off again, on again; on again, off again. Uncertain, vacillating, as in Theirs is an off again, on again relationship, or The peace talks are on again, off again. Some believe this term originally referred to minor railroad accidents, where a train went off track and then on again. [Mid-1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with off and on (2 of 2)

off