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to switch off

to switch off

37 1.1
To stop a machine or light by using a control such as a button
  • phrasal verb
  • /swɪtʃ ɔf/
translation icon : apagar
  • Please remember to switch off the lights before leaving the room.

See you next week and remember to switch off the light.

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Examples

  • So I'm now going to switch off the main light.

  • Derek turns on a bedside lamp and then switches off the glaring overhead light.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • See you next week and remember to switch off the light.

  • Depending on the time of day and year, switch off the lights when no one is present.

  • If you switch off the fan, it's gonna get really hot!

  • Switch off the current, will you?

  • Switch off your engine and safely exit.

  • But I switched off the lights so that he couldn't see me.

  • "Putting the house to bed," he says, switching off the lights and latching the doors.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Switch off your engine!

Synonyms

to turn off
vsto switch off
631 1.3

To stop a machine or device from working with a switch

is the same action expressed with different wording
to shut down
vsto switch off
541 2.9

Stop a machine, business, or system from working

is for small device control rather than whole system or business stopping
to shut off
vsto switch off
83 2.6

Stop something from working by using a switch or valve

is specific to stopping devices rather than flows
to deactivate
vsto switch off
63 3.9

To make a device, system, or account stop working

focuses on the simple control action rather than broader disabling
to turn off the light
vsto switch off
37 1.0

To switch a light so it stops shining

applies to many devices not only lighting
to turn out
vsto switch off
  • UK
36 2.7

To switch off a light or machine

is the same action but uses alternate phrasing
to unplug
vsto switch off
28 2.6

To take a plug out of a wall socket so an electric device stops getting power

uses a device control to stop operation without cutting the power connection
to unplug the device
vsto switch off
2.5

Remove a device's plug from the socket so it has no power

relies on a control to end operation rather than removing the power cable
to plug out
vsto switch off
  • UK
4.9

Take a device's power cable out of a socket to stop electricity

uses a built-in control to stop the device without disconnecting power

Antonyms

32 1.6

To make a device like a light start working by pressing a button or moving a switch

Surface Forms

switch off infinitive
switched off past participle
switching off present participle
switches off third person singular

Morphology

switch + off

The meaning 'to turn off a device' is directly derivable from combining 'switch' (operate a control) with 'off' (not operating). This verb+particle construction is literal and common in English (and parallels exist in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Switch off comes from the simple image of moving a small switch into the off position to stop the power to a lamp or machine. So it now means 'to turn off' something like lights, an oven, or a phone.