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to rush off

to rush off

20 3.8
Leave suddenly because you are in a hurry
  • phrasal verb
  • /rʌʃ ɔf/
translation icon : salir corriendo
  • I suddenly had to rush off to catch the bus after realizing I was late.

Instead, they, they just go rush off and start implementing whatever it is that they think that person meant.

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Examples

  • I'm sorry you had to rush off.

  • Now you tried to rush off before I could tell you the rules.

  • So they all had to rush off to the hospital.

  • Maybe I can help you, but I must rush off now.

  • Finally, she was able to change clothes, fix her face, and rush off to school.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Then she excused them from the table, and they rushed off for their final hour of play.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Dean Waters has to rush off, but assures me that Page knows all about the investigation.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The old man and the woman, carrying bowls and pots, rushed off in the direction of the compound.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Arrogant Aaron wakes up with a start, checks his watch, and rushes off to class.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Othello, wearing a short windbreaker, rushes off with Iago and Bianca.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

to run away
vsto rush off
550 1.6

To leave secretly and quickly to get away from danger or control

is a sudden departure not necessarily done secretly to escape
to flee
vsto rush off
331 2.4

To run away from a place because it is dangerous

is sudden hurried leaving not always motivated by immediate danger
to take off
vsto rush off
273 3.2

To leave a place quickly, often to travel somewhere else

is sudden hurried leaving often without preparation or advance notice
to run off
vsto rush off
  • Informal
260 3.7

To leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying goodbye

is sudden hurried leaving that does not require secrecy or escape motive
to run out
vsto rush off
78 2.0

Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something

is a sudden departure not limited to escaping people or trouble
to got to run
vsto rush off
  • Informal
51 3.5

Have to leave immediately or very soon

is the sudden hurried action itself rather than the spoken excuse to go
to make off
vsto rush off
19 6.4

To run away quickly after stealing or committing a crime

is sudden hurried leaving that is not limited to illegal acts
to hightail it
vsto rush off
  • Informal
16 8.4

To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

is a very hurried departure that can also happen without danger
to push off
vsto rush off
  • Informal
14 6.8

Leave a place or start a journey

is sudden hurried departure that usually implies haste, not just starting travel
to shove off
vsto rush off
  • Informal
12 7.7

Leave a place quickly, often in a rude way

is sudden hurried leaving without the dismissive or rude attitude
to fled the scene
vsto rush off
11 4.4

Leave a place quickly to avoid being caught after causing or seeing trouble

is hurried leaving that is not necessarily an attempt to avoid capture
to storm off
vsto rush off
  • Informal
11 4.5

Leave a place quickly because you are angry

is sudden hurried leaving that is not necessarily motivated by anger
to get out of Dodge
vsto rush off
  • Informal
7 9.2

Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

is hurried departure that can be general, not only to escape danger
to hop off
vsto rush off
  • Informal
6 3.1

Get off a bus or leave a call quickly

is sudden hurried leaving that emphasizes lightness or exiting vehicles
to bolt from
vsto rush off
  • Informal
5 5.8

To leave a place suddenly and unexpectedly

is sudden hurried leaving that may happen without warning or preparation
to bolt out
vsto rush off
  • Informal
5 4.9

Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared

is sudden hurried leaving that does not require surprise or fear
to run out of town
vsto rush off
5 6.6

Leave a place quickly because people are angry or you are in trouble

is sudden departure that can occur for many reasons beyond shame or pressure
to make tracks
vsto rush off
  • Informal
5 7.2

Leave quickly to go somewhere or to avoid trouble

is sudden hurried leaving not always motivated by avoidance
to vamoose
vsto rush off
  • Informal
3 8.8

To leave quickly to avoid trouble or questions

is the general sudden leaving often implying lack of preparation or notice
to bug-out
vsto rush off
  • Slang
3 8.2

To leave a place quickly to escape danger

is hurried leaving focused on emergency evacuation rather than casual haste
to rush away
vsto rush off
2 2.5

Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry

is a sudden hurried leaving that also often lacks preparation or notice
to blow town
vsto rush off
  • Informal
2 9.8

To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble

is sudden hurried leaving but not always aimed at escaping or avoiding
to evac
vsto rush off
  • Jargon
1 8.1

To leave a place quickly to be safe

is hurried departure tied to safety rather than everyday hurry
to sally
vsto rush off
  • Specialized
1 6.4

To rush out suddenly from a safe place

is sudden departing not specifically from a defensive position
to roar off
vsto rush off
1 6.3

To move away fast while making a very loud noise

is sudden hurried leaving that does not require loud or noisy departure
to pop off
vsto rush off
  • UK
1 7.9

To leave a place quickly, often without saying goodbye

is the neutral term for sudden departure often lacking preparation
to beat a retreat
vsto rush off
1 6.0

To leave a place quickly to avoid danger or trouble

is sudden withdrawal that is more formal and planned than spontaneous haste
to make a bolt
vsto rush off
6.8

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

is a sudden hurried departure without needing a specified motive
to bolt down
vsto rush off
  • Informal
6.1

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

is sudden hurried leaving but not always driven by fear
to beetle off
vsto rush off
  • UK
9.8

To leave quickly and quietly without being noticed

is hurried leaving that often lacks notice rather than being conspicuous
to do the dash
vsto rush off
  • UK
9.3

To run away quickly to avoid being caught

is sudden hurried leaving that need not be an escape attempt
to duck off
vsto rush off
  • Offensive
9.9

To leave quickly and quietly or tell someone rudely to go away

is sudden hurried leaving but not always done secretly or rudely
to go offski
vsto rush off
  • Slang
9.9

To leave a place suddenly, usually to go somewhere else

is sudden hurried leaving that is not limited to casual or eager tone
to skidoo
vsto rush off
  • Archaic
9.1

To leave quickly to avoid trouble or attention

is sudden hurried leaving that need not be aimed at avoiding attention

Antonyms

1.0

To remain in one place and not leave

How Quickly

to bolt
69 2.3
to rush off
20 3.8
to leave
1.0
to walk away
632 3.5

Surface Forms

rush off infinitive
rushed off past
rushed off past participle
rushing off present participle
rushes off third person singular

Morphology

rush + off

The meaning 'to leave suddenly and in a hurry' is directly derivable from combining 'rush' (move or act rapidly) with 'off' (away), yielding a clear motion-away sense. This verb + particle composition is a common and predictable English pattern (and has cognates in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand it.

Etymology

The phrasal verb rush off gives a clear picture: someone rushes and goes off from a place, like running out the door in a hurry. That's why it means 'to leave suddenly and in a hurry'.