make off
C1Informal, often used in journalism, storytelling, and everyday speech.
Definition
Meaning
To leave a place quickly, especially in order to escape, avoid something, or after stealing something.
Can imply a hurried, often furtive or sneaky departure, usually without permission or in order to avoid consequences.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Inherently implies movement away from a location. Often carries a negative connotation of fleeing from responsibility or justice. Requires an adverbial particle (e.g., 'with', 'into') to specify destination or the item taken.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. 'Make off' is common in both varieties. The American 'take off' can sometimes be used in similar contexts for sudden departure, but 'make off' is specifically for escape with an illicit gain or from trouble.
Connotations
Identical connotation of hurried escape, often illicit.
Frequency
Comparably common in both varieties, perhaps slightly more frequent in UK crime reporting.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ + make off ( + ADV of direction)SUBJ + make off with + OBJ (thing stolen)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make off like a bandit (humorous, implies a very successful or profitable escape)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts of fraud or theft: 'The accountant made off with the pension funds.'
Academic
Very rare; more formal synonyms like 'abscond' or 'flee' are preferred.
Everyday
Common in news and anecdotes about crime or mischievous acts: 'The kids made off with a bag of sweets.'
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The burglars made off before the police arrived.
- He made off with my umbrella from the pub.
American English
- The suspect made off into the woods.
- They made off with the entire cash register.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dog made off with my sandwich!
- When they saw the teacher coming, the children made off.
- The cashier made off with over £10,000 from the safe.
- The fox made off into the hedgerow with a chicken.
- The embezzler made off to a country with no extradition treaty.
- Having caused the diplomatic incident, the attaché swiftly made off from the reception.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a thief who has just MADE a grab for the cash and is now OFF running down the street. MAKE (an action) + OFF (away).
Conceptual Metaphor
ESCAPE IS A HASTY DEPARTURE (often with a prize).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "make of" (думать о).
- Do not translate word-for-word as "делать выключенным".
- The closest single-word equivalent is "смыться" or "убежать", but "make off with" requires adding "c + instrumental" (с деньгами).
Common Mistakes
- Using it without 'with' when an object is stolen: Incorrect: 'He made off the car.' Correct: 'He made off with the car.'
- Using it in formal writing where 'abscond' or 'flee' would be better.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'make off' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a phrasal verb where the particle 'off' cannot be separated from the verb 'make'. You cannot say 'make it off' in this sense.
'Make off' strongly implies leaving with something stolen or escaping from a specific situation, often with a hint of cunning. 'Run away' is more general and can be used for emotional escapes (e.g., from home) as well.
Rarely. It almost always has a negative or mischievous connotation. A possible humorous exception is 'make off like a bandit', meaning to get away with a great deal of profit or luck.
No, but it often uses the preposition 'with' to introduce the thing taken (e.g., 'make off with the jewels'). It can stand alone if the context is clear (e.g., 'The thieves made off.')