shut off

The phrase "shut off" is versatile, often used to describe stopping the operation or flow of something, isolating an area, or ceasing an activity.

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Definition

B1General

(common)To stop the operation or flow of something, like a machine or supply.

Example

  • Remember to shut off the lights before leaving.
  • They shut off the water supply due to the leak.

B2Social

(common)To isolate or exclude from interaction or communication.

Example

  • She shut off all contact with her former friends.
  • The remote cabin is shut off from the rest of the world.

C1Engineering

(technical)To close or block an entrance, passage, or opening.

Example

  • The valve was shut off to prevent further leakage.
  • An automatic shut-off mechanism stops the pump when the tank is full.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "shut off":

turn offswitch offshut downshut awayshut outcut offclose downshut the doorshut inblock offshit offput up the shuttersclick offshut upshut up shopdo offtouch offtap offgo offchoke offwire offoff timeknock it offclose outlock outbreak offshoot offshit uptune outlight offturn downsound offoff airsqueeze offblow offcycle offcap offsign offwall offfire offgun offlook offhook offhead offlog offflick offend off