marry off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Informal
Quick answer
What does “marry off” mean?
To arrange for someone (especially one's child) to marry, often implying haste or a lack of consultation with the person being married.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To arrange for someone (especially one's child) to marry, often implying haste or a lack of consultation with the person being married.
To dispose of or find a place for someone by arranging a marriage; used figuratively to mean pushing someone into a situation (e.g., a job) to be rid of them.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term with the same connotations.
Connotations
Same in both: Can imply a transactional, pragmatic, or even mercenary aspect to the marriage. Often used humorously or critically.
Frequency
Equally understood and used in both dialects. Slightly literary or dated in casual modern speech but remains common in narrative contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “marry off” in a Sentence
[Subject] marry [Object] off (to [Recipient])[Subject] marry off [Object] (as quickly as possible)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marry off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Victorian father was keen to marry off his daughters to wealthy suitors.
- They finally managed to marry him off to a nice local girl.
American English
- Her parents were desperate to marry her off before she turned thirty.
- He joked about marrying off his troublesome younger brother.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Figurative extension possible: 'The company married off its failing division to a competitor.'
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or anthropological texts discussing marriage customs.
Everyday
Used in conversation, often humorously or critically, about family and relationships.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marry off”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marry off”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marry off”
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'She married off last year.' - INCORRECT). It must have an object: 'Her parents married her off last year.'
- Confusing with 'marry into' (to join a family by marriage).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, as it often implies a lack of agency for the person getting married. However, it is also frequently used in a humorous or neutral, descriptive way, especially in historical contexts.
No, it is not reflexive. You cannot 'marry yourself off.' The subject is always someone other than the person getting married (e.g., parents, family).
'Get married' is neutral and focuses on the couple's action. 'Marry off' focuses on the action of a third party arranging the marriage, often with specific motives.
It is less common in everyday conversation about contemporary Western marriages, where personal choice is emphasized. It remains very common in historical discussion, journalism about certain cultures, and figurative use.
To arrange for someone (especially one's child) to marry, often implying haste or a lack of consultation with the person being married.
Marry off is usually informal in register.
Marry off: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmær.i ˈɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmær.i ˈɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “marry off the last of the litter (humorous)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of parents saying, 'We need to MARRY OFF our daughter,' as if sending her OFF to a new life.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE COMMODITIES / MARRIAGE IS A TRANSACTION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of 'marry off'?