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Glite Dictionary
✂️ To separate 🕵️ To take secretly
to hive off

to hive off

8.0
To separate part of a company to make it an independent business
  • phrasal verb
  • Jargon
translation icon : separar
  • The company decided to hive off its electronics division into a separate entity.

Examples

  • Several non-core businesses will be hived off over the next few years.

  • After restructuring, they hived off the publishing group to focus on digital products.

  • Don't hive off important resources without consulting the team!

  • The company decided to hive off its non-core assets.

  • After restructuring, they hived off the publishing group to focus on digital products.

  • The company decided to hive off its electronics division into a separate entity.

  • Several non-core businesses will be hived off over the next few years.

Synonyms

to separate
vsto hive off
297 1.9

To break into parts or pieces

implies creating a self-standing unit rather than merely separating parts
to split up
vsto hive off
47 2.6

To divide something into smaller parts

focuses on forming an independent unit rather than simple division
to break away
vsto hive off
30 4.1

To leave an organization and form a separate group

is usually an initiated separation by the parent rather than a voluntary exit
to break apart
vsto hive off
26 3.0

To separate into pieces, for example a machine or a group

refers to intentional organizational separation to form a new independent part
to detach
vsto hive off
12 4.3

To separate a part from a larger group for a special task

involves making the part fully independent rather than a temporary detachment
to splinter
vsto hive off
11 6.2

To leave a group and form a smaller, separate one often after disagreement

is a formal separation to create an independent unit rather than factioning off
to demerge
vsto hive off
  • Jargon
1 8.0

To separate a company into independent businesses

is a broader move to make part independent from the parent group
to partition off
vsto hive off
1 3.9

To divide a space using a wall or screen

focuses on creating an independent unit, not merely blocking or enclosing space
to spin-out
vsto hive off
  • Specialized
6.7

To create a new business from part of a larger company

is the general act of making part of an organization independent
to separate off
vsto hive off
4.2

To divide a space with a wall or curtain to make a new area

describes separation into an independent entity rather than a physical partition

Antonyms

to merge
192 3.2

To join two or more things so they become one

to integrate
179 4.1

To join things or ideas so they form one whole

How Separate

to break away
30 4.1
to spin off
11 4.3
to hive off
  • Jargon
8.0
separate
829 2.1
to detach
16 4.0

Surface Forms

hive off infinitive
hived off past
hived off past participle
hiving off present participle
hives off third person singular

Morphology

hive + off

The verb 'hive' (to gather/store) combined with 'off' (away/removed) gives a partly predictable sense of setting something aside or transferring it, so a learner could infer a general idea of removal or separation. However, the nuance of doing this secretly or dishonestly is not directly derivable from the constituents and the usage is somewhat idiomatic and low-frequency, so full meaning requires prior exposure.

Etymology

Hive off may come from beekeeping. When a group of bees moves from the main hive and is set off in a new box, they become a separate colony, so to hive off part of a company means to make it separate or 'independent'.