bear off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal, literary, nautical
Quick answer
What does “bear off” mean?
to move away or steer away from something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to move away or steer away from something; to change direction, especially of a vehicle or vessel; to begin to depart.
In nautical contexts, it specifically means to steer a vessel away from the wind or shore. More generally, it can mean to withdraw or turn aside from a course of action or discussion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely consistent, though slightly more prevalent in British maritime contexts. In American English, 'veer off' or 'sheer off' might be more common in everyday metaphorical use.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries a formal or technical tone. In British English, may retain stronger nautical associations.
Frequency
Low frequency in general usage; specialized term.
Grammar
How to Use “bear off” in a Sentence
Subject + bear off + (from + Object)Subject + bear off + (Adverbial of direction)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bear off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The captain gave the order to bear off and avoid the rocky outcrop.
- As the storm intensified, they had to bear off from their original heading.
American English
- The pilot decided to bear off from the landing approach due to visibility issues.
- We'll need to bear off to the northeast once we clear the headland.
adjective
British English
- The bearing-off manoeuvre was executed flawlessly.
American English
- The bearing-off procedure is detailed in chapter seven of the manual.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially metaphorical: 'The company decided to bear off from its aggressive acquisition strategy.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical or geographical texts describing travel/navigation.
Everyday
Very rare. Would sound formal or old-fashioned.
Technical
Standard in sailing/navigation manuals and contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bear off”
- Using 'bear off' to mean 'remove by force' (that's 'bear away' or 'carry off').
- Confusing with 'beat off' (to repel).
- Using it intransitively without implying movement from a specific reference point.
- Omitting 'off' and just using 'bear' for direction, which is archaic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency phrase primarily found in nautical, formal, or literary contexts.
Yes, though it's rare. It can describe diverging from a topic, plan, or course of action.
In sailing, 'bear away' (or 'bear off') often means to turn downwind. More generally, 'bear away' can mean 'to carry off', while 'bear off' emphasizes the act of turning aside.
Yes, 'bear off' is a phrasal verb, specifically an intransitive verb of movement where 'off' functions as an adverb.
to move away or steer away from something.
Bear off is usually formal, literary, nautical in register.
Bear off: in British English it is pronounced /bɛər ɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɛr ɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bear off the prize (archaic: to win or carry off a prize)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bear (bear) turning away (off) from a beehive it decided not to raid.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY AS A PATH / NAVIGATION. Leaving a planned path is steering away from it.
Practice
Quiz
In a strict nautical sense, what does 'bear off' most accurately mean?