turn off
HighNeutral to Informal
Definition
Meaning
To switch something from an on state to an off state, such as a light or electronic device.
To cause someone to lose interest or feel repelled; to leave a main road and go onto a smaller one.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can be used both literally (e.g., turning off a device) and figuratively (e.g., something that turns you off). The phrasal verb is separable, allowing objects between 'turn' and 'off'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'turn off' is commonly used for exiting motorways, while in American English, 'exit' is more frequent for roads. Both use it interchangeably for devices.
Connotations
Similar in both dialects, but the figurative use for disinterest might be slightly more informal in American English.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects for literal meanings; figurative use is widespread in informal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive with direct object (e.g., turn off the light)transitive with pronoun object (e.g., turn it off)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to turn someone off”
- “turn off the beaten path”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically, e.g., 'The high costs turn off investors.'
Academic
Less common in formal writing; prefer 'deactivate' or 'switch off' in technical descriptions.
Everyday
Very common for devices and informal situations, e.g., 'Turn off your phone during the movie.'
Technical
Used in engineering or computing for powering down systems, e.g., 'Turn off the server after maintenance.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you turn off the telly, please?
- He turned off the motorway at junction 5.
American English
- Can you turn off the TV, please?
- She turned off the highway at exit 10.
adverb
British English
- He pushed the button to turn off.
- The device is completely off.
American English
- She flipped the switch to turn off.
- The light is fully off.
adjective
British English
- The turned-off boiler needs inspection.
- A turn-off point on the route is marked.
American English
- The turned-off heater is energy efficient.
- A turn-off lane leads to the rest area.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Turn off the light when you leave the room.
- I always turn off the radio at night.
- Please turn off the engine to save fuel.
- The bad smell turned me off from eating.
- They turned off the main road to explore the countryside.
- His rude behavior turns off many colleagues.
- The company's unethical practices have turned off a large segment of consumers.
- To reduce carbon footprint, ensure all appliances are turned off overnight.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a light switch: you turn it to the 'off' position to stop the light.
Conceptual Metaphor
OFF as a state of cessation or disconnection, extended to emotional disinterest.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Directly translating 'выключить' as 'turn off' for all contexts, but 'close' is better for apps or windows.
- Confusing 'turn off' with 'switch off', which are synonyms but 'switch off' is more specific to electrical devices.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'close' instead of 'turn off' for electronic devices like lights or TVs.
- Incorrect word order, e.g., 'off turn' instead of 'turn off'.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The documentary turned off viewers with its graphic content,' what does 'turn off' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'turn the light off' or 'turn off the light'.
Yes, figuratively, to mean causing someone to lose interest or feel repelled, e.g., 'His arrogance turns people off.'
The noun is 'turn-off', meaning something that causes disinterest or dislike, e.g., 'Loud chewing is a real turn-off.'
They are often synonyms, but 'switch off' is more specific to electrical devices, while 'turn off' can be used more broadly, including for roads or figurative contexts.