Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to cross off

to cross off

35 1.8
To draw a line through an item on a list to show it is finished
  • phrasal verb
  • /krɔs ɔf/
translation icon : tachar
  • After finishing the project, I was able to cross off the final task from my list.
  • cross off the list
  • cross off names
  • cross off items

I'm going to look at all those things, cross them off the list, have the little moment.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • We cross them off one by one.

    Black Widow (2008)

  • We have only one car, so that has been crossed off my list for now.

    Blog text (23)

  • OK, so now I have just finished, I can cross it off of my list.

  • We need to cross off Wednesday here and then we also need to cross off Thursday because today is Friday for me.

  • I can cross him off my list.

    The Empty Man (2020)

  • We shall cross off every name.

    Ride with the Devil (1999)

  • Buy it and be done with it, and cross it off your list.

    Blog text (14)

  • The more items I cross off, the better I can breathe.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • I'm going to look at all those things, cross them off the list, have the little moment.

    Rich Roll

  • When you find an item, cross it off your list. Then look for the next item on the list.

    Academic text (2001)

Synonyms

to cross
vsto cross off
171 2.0

To draw a line through writing to show it is wrong

uses a line specifically to show a list item is finished or removed
to check off
vsto cross off
15 2.5

Mark an item on a list to show it is done

uses a full line through the list item rather than a small check mark
to cross out
vsto cross off
14 2.3

Draw a line through a word or item to show it should be removed

is specifically for list items to show finished or to remove them
to strike out
vsto cross off
8 3.7

Remove a name or item from a list by drawing a line through it

focuses on single list items to mark finished or to remove them
to tick off
vsto cross off
  • UK
4 3.7

Mark something with a check to show it is done

marks by drawing a full line through the list item rather than a check
to strike off
vsto cross off
  • UK
2 6.7

To remove a person or thing from an official list

applies to ordinary lists to show an item is finished or removed
to mark off
vsto cross off
1 3.2

To put a line or tick next to an item to show it is finished

shows completion by drawing a line through the item rather than a side mark
to stroke out
vsto cross off
1 6.2

Draw a line through words or text to show they should be ignored

is aimed at list entries to show completion or removal
to chalk off
vsto cross off
  • UK
6.5

To mark an item as finished by drawing a line or writing a note

indicates doing this specifically by drawing a line through the list item
to X-ed
vsto cross off
7.3

To cross out writing by drawing an X over it

uses a single straight line through list items rather than an X

Antonyms

to add
∞ 1.0

Include something extra to make something larger or better

How Marked

to delete
287 2.0
to cross off
35 1.8
to check off
15 2.5
to mark
192 1.0

Surface Forms

cross off infinitive
crossed off past
crossed off past participle
crossing off present participle
crosses off third person singular

Morphology

cross + off

The meaning 'to draw a line through an item to remove or mark it complete' is directly derivable from 'cross' (to draw through/cancel) + 'off' (indicating removal or completion). This verb+particle composition follows a common, productive English pattern and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Cross off comes from the simple action of drawing a line or a cross through an item on a list. When you cross an item off, you show it is finished or should be removed, so the phrase now means 'to remove from a list' or 'mark as done'.