Phrasal verbs "be off" vs "be out of"

Differences between be off and be out of

Be off usually means to leave a place or to be ready to leave, whereas be out of generally means to have none left of something.

Meanings and Definitions: be off vs be out of

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Be off

• 1. Be bad ( of food ).

  This yoghurt must BE OFF; it smells foul.

• 2. Depart, leave.

  I'm OFF home; it's five o'clock.

Be out of

• 1. Have no more left.

  We're OUT OF coffee so I'll have to go and get some.

Usage Examples: be off, be out of in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

be off

Example

I am off to the store to buy some groceries.

Example

She is off to her friend's house for a sleepover.

be out of

Example

We are out of milk, so I need to buy some more.

Example

She is out of time to finish her project.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be off

take off

To leave a place, especially quickly or suddenly.

Example

I need to take off early today to catch my flight.

head out

To leave a place, especially for a specific purpose or activity.

Example

We're heading out to the beach this weekend to enjoy the sun and surf.

make tracks

To leave a place, especially in a hurry or with a sense of urgency.

Example

It's getting late, so we should make tracks if we want to get home before dark.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be out of

run out of

To exhaust or deplete the supply of something.

Example

I ran out of milk this morning, so I had to drink my coffee black.

be depleted of

To have none left of something, especially a resource or energy.

Example

After the long hike, I was depleted of energy and needed to rest for a while.

be lacking in

To have an insufficient amount or quality of something.

Example

This recipe is lacking in salt, so I'll add a pinch to enhance the flavor.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “be”

• be down on
• be on
• be in on
• be after
• be away

Phrasal Verbs with “off”

• tootle off
• finish off
• sponge off
• rush off
• have it off

Phrasal Verbs with “out of”

• check out of
• run out of
• whip out of
• break out of
• sign out of

Differences in be off vs be out of: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: be off or be out of?

In daily conversation, people use be off more often than be out of. This is because be off is used for more daily tasks and routines such as leaving work or going on a trip. Be out of is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about running out of something. So, while both phrases are used, be off is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of be off and be out of

Be off and be out of are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of be off and be out of

The tone of be off and be out of can differ based on context. Be off often carries a casual or relaxed tone when related to leaving a place or being ready to leave, while be out of typically has a concerned or frustrated tone, especially when referring to running out of something important.

be off & be out of: Synonyms and Antonyms

Be off

Synonyms

• depart
• leave
• go
• exit
• spoil
• turn
• set off
• go bad

Antonyms

• arrive
• enter
• come
• stay
• remain
• be fresh
• be good

Be out of

Synonyms

• depleted
• exhausted
• lacking
• finished
• gone
• unavailable
• empty

Antonyms

• available
• plentiful
• adequate
• abundant
• in stock
• sufficient