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to wipe off

to wipe off

20 1.0
Remove dirt or marks from a surface by rubbing with a cloth
  • phrasal verb
  • /waɪp ɔf/
translation icon : quitar
  • She used a cloth to wipe off the dust from the table.
  • wipe off the dust
  • wipe off the paint
  • wipe off his face

So you might see it as I wipe off my makeup.

Examples

  • Make sure to wipe off any excess paint before we start the project.

  • So you might see it as I wipe off my makeup.

  • So after that I wipe off my face.

  • Got some stuff to wipe off your face, too.

  • The Guard tries to wipe off his hand on the wall.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • So now we're going to just wipe off this powder.

  • I think I'm going to wipe off my foundation.

  • I have to be careful or I'll wipe off all the powder.

  • Just need to wipe off this glitter.

  • The bartender came to wipe off the coffee table, and they all lifted up their drinks.

    Fiction book (2000)

Synonyms

to wipe
vsto wipe off
531 1.0

To clean and dry a surface by rubbing it with a cloth or your hand

removes things by rubbing, erasing, or wiping rather than drying only
to erase
vsto wipe off
144 1.6

Remove marks, writing, or digital files so they are no longer visible

focuses on physical removal from a surface rather than deletion or access
to dust
vsto wipe off
66 1.0

To remove small dry particles from a surface by wiping or brushing

removes various substances not only light particles
to scrape
vsto wipe off
62 1.2

To rub material off a surface with something hard or sharp

uses gentle rubbing or erasing, not necessarily scratching or harsh tools
to scrub
vsto wipe off
55 1.0

To clean something by rubbing it hard with a brush and water

allows lighter rubbing or erasing, not only vigorous cleaning
to mop
vsto wipe off
37 1.0

To clean a floor with a long handle and wet cloth

is not limited to long-handled tools and can be done by hand
to wash off
vsto wipe off
31 1.0

To remove something from a surface by washing with water or soap

relies on rubbing or erasing rather than primarily using water
to wipe away
vsto wipe off
28 2.0

To remove something from a surface by moving a cloth over it, like tears or dirt

covers removing many kinds of things, not only marks or tears
to rinse off
vsto wipe off
10 1.6

To wash something with water to remove soap or dirt

uses physical rubbing or erasing instead of primarily flowing water
to clear away
vsto wipe off
10 1.8

To take things away from a place to make it tidy

is about removing material from a surface by rubbing or erasing
to wash out
vsto wipe off
9 2.0

Clean something using water to remove dirt or stains

is about removal by rubbing or erasing, not full washing
to wipe up
vsto wipe off
8 1.8

To clean a surface using a cloth or towel to remove a spill

is broader, applying to solids and marks as well as liquids
to rub off
vsto wipe off
5 3.4

Come off a surface when something moves against it

focuses on active removal by a person rather than passive coming off
to mop up
vsto wipe off
5 2.6

To remove liquid or dirt from a floor with a cloth

applies to many surfaces and methods beyond using a mop
to file off
vsto wipe off
3 5.2

To rub a surface with a small rough tool to remove something

covers removal by rubbing, erasing, or wiping without using a file
to efface
vsto wipe off
2 8.1

To remove something so it is no longer visible or remembered

may remove things without implying total disappearance or complete erasure
to scrub off
vsto wipe off
1 2.5

To remove dirt or stains by rubbing hard with a brush

uses rubbing too but can be gentler or involve erasing rather than hard scrubbing
to skim
vsto wipe off
1 3.4

Take a thin layer off the top of a liquid

covers removing things from solid surfaces, not skimming liquids
to skim off
vsto wipe off
1 3.7

Take oil or fat from the top of a liquid using a spoon

is aimed at surfaces generally, not only floating layers on liquids
to rub out
vsto wipe off
1 4.3

Erase a mark by using an eraser or cloth until it disappears

is more general, removing any surface material by rubbing or erasing
to rub away
vsto wipe off
1 3.4

Remove a mark by moving a cloth or hand over it many times

can be gentler and include single wipes as removal methods
to sand off
vsto wipe off
1 4.7

To remove the top layer of something by rubbing it with sandpaper

is gentler and does not require abrasive sanding to remove things
to clean (something) off
vsto wipe off
1 1.0

To remove dirt or mud from a surface

is narrower, stressing the act of removing by rubbing or erasing
to unsmudge
vsto wipe off
7.0

Remove marks or stains from a surface so it looks clean

focuses on removing any surface matter, not only smudges
to sponge off
vsto wipe off
2.6

To rub a surface with a wet sponge to clean it

can be done with a dry cloth or eraser, not only a wet sponge
to whisk off
vsto wipe off
4.2

To remove dust or crumbs quickly with a light movement

can be slower and more thorough, not only quick light actions
to abrase
vsto wipe off
  • Archaic
9.9

Wear away the surface of something by rubbing or scraping

is about direct removal by rubbing, erasing, or wiping rather than slow erosion

Antonyms

263 1.3

Put a substance onto a surface to cover it

How Clean

to clean
1.0
to scour
15 4.8
to scrub
55 1.0
to wipe off
20 1.0
to wipe
531 1.0
to dab
11 2.8

Surface Forms

wipe off infinitive
wiped off past
wiped off past participle
wiping off present participle
wipes off third person singular

Morphology

wipe + off

The meaning 'to remove something from a surface by rubbing or erasing' is directly derivable from combining 'wipe' (to remove dirt or moisture by rubbing) with the particle 'off' (indicating removal). This is a standard verb + particle compositional pattern in English (and mirrored in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Wipe off comes from the simple picture of using a cloth to rub something until it comes off a surface. Here wipe is the rubbing and off shows the thing is removed, so it means 'to remove something by rubbing or wiping'.