cart off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-LowInformal
Quick answer
What does “cart off” mean?
To remove or take away something (or someone), often in a rough, hasty, or unceremonious manner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To remove or take away something (or someone), often in a rough, hasty, or unceremonious manner.
Often implies removal by force, as an official action, or due to a state of incapacity (like being drunk or injured), typically involving some form of vehicle or transport.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The core meaning and usage are identical. 'Cart off' is understood and used in both varieties. The spelling 'carted' is standard.
Connotations
In both varieties, it often connotes a lack of dignity or ceremony in the removal process.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but not significantly. Both use it equally in informal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cart off” in a Sentence
[Subject] cart off [Object][Object] be/get carted off (to [Place])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cart off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bailiffs will cart off all his belongings if he doesn't pay.
- After the party, we had to cart off dozens of empty bottles.
- He made a scene and was promptly carted off by security.
American English
- The city will cart off that abandoned car next week.
- The protesters were arrested and carted off in vans.
- They had to cart off all the debris from the construction site.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used informally about removing old equipment: 'We need to cart off these broken printers.'
Academic
Very rare.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about removing rubbish, junk, or incapacitated people: 'The council came and carted off the fly-tipped rubbish.' 'He was so drunk they carted him off in an ambulance.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cart off”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cart off”
- Using it for voluntary, dignified transport: *'The ambassador was carted off to the embassy.' (Incorrect - use 'driven' or 'taken').
- Using the wrong particle: *'cart away' is acceptable but 'cart off' is more idiomatic for forced removal. *'cart out' is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is decidedly informal. Use 'remove', 'transport', or 'confiscate' in formal writing.
Yes, very commonly. It often implies the person is unwilling, incapacitated (drunk, ill), or being taken by authorities (e.g., to jail or hospital).
'Cart off' adds a layer of meaning: it suggests a larger quantity, a more physical/forceful effort, or a lack of ceremony. 'Take away' is more neutral.
Regular. The past tense and past participle are 'carted' (e.g., 'They carted it off', 'It was carted off').
To remove or take away something (or someone), often in a rough, hasty, or unceremonious manner.
Cart off: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːt ɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːrt ɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “carted off to the funny farm (slang for mental institution)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old wooden CART being used to haul away (OFF) unwanted junk from a house. The image of the cart emphasizes the physical, often rough, removal.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE/THINGS ARE BURDENSOME OBJECTS TO BE TRANSPORTED (often against their will).
Practice
Quiz
In which situation is 'cart off' LEAST appropriate?