Phrase guide

make off

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˌmeɪk ˈɒf/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To exit or depart; to run away.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • As soon as he saw me, he turned around and made off down the road.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: flee, run away

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To tie off, fix down or terminate the end of a rope, cable or thread.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The thief made off with our silver
  • the accountant absconded with the cash from the safe

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: abscond, bolt, absquatulate, decamp, run off, go off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: flee, fly, take flight

Narrower terms: levant

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: fugir — to run away; to exit
  • French: fuir — to run away; to exit
  • German: sich davonmachen — to run away; to exit
  • German: sich aus dem Staub machen — to run away; to exit
  • Italian: fuggire — to run away; to exit
  • Norman: avitrer — to run away; to exit
  • Portuguese: fugir — to run away; to exit
  • Russian: убега́ть (ubegátʹ) — to run away; to exit
  • Spanish: huir — to run away; to exit
  • Swedish: ge sig i väg — to run away; to exit
  • Swedish: smita — to run away; to exit
  • Swedish: sjappa — to run away; to exit