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Phrasal verbs "buy off" vs "stay off"

Differences between buy off and stay off

Buy off means to pay someone to stop them from doing something, usually something illegal or unethical. Stay off means to avoid or refrain from doing something.

Meanings and Definitions: buy off vs stay off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Buy off

  • 1Pay someone to stop them causing trouble.

    He BOUGHT the newspaper OFF by placing a lot of adverts.

Stay off

  • 1To not go to or be absent from work.

    I daren’t stay off work.

  • 2To remain at a lower weight or level.

    Let’s make sure those pounds stay off.

  • 3Avoid or refrain from.

    The best advice is to stay off alcohol altogether.

Usage Examples: buy off, stay off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

buy off

Example

The politician tried to buy off the journalist to prevent the scandal from being exposed.

Example

He buys off the security guard to gain access to the restricted area.

stay off

Example

I decided to stay off social media for a week.

Example

She stays off caffeine to avoid feeling jittery.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Buy off

bribe

To give someone money or gifts to influence their behavior or decision-making.

Example

The company tried to bribe the government officials to get the contract.

pay hush money

To pay someone to keep quiet about something, usually something illegal or embarrassing.

Example

The politician was accused of paying hush money to cover up his affair.

settle out of court

To resolve a legal dispute by paying a sum of money to the other party instead of going to trial.

Example

The company decided to settle out of court to avoid negative publicity.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Stay off

abstain from

To voluntarily refrain from doing something, usually for moral or health reasons.

Example

He decided to abstain from alcohol to improve his health.

keep away from

To avoid or stay away from someone or something, usually because it is harmful or dangerous.

Example

She told her children to keep away from the broken glass on the floor.

steer clear of

To avoid or stay away from someone or something, usually because it is risky or unpleasant.

Example

He decided to steer clear of the controversial topic during the meeting.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “buy”

Phrasal Verbs with “off”

Differences in buy off vs stay off: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: buy off or stay off?

In everyday conversation, stay off is more common than buy off. This is because stay off is used in a variety of situations, such as staying off drugs or staying off social media. Buy off is less common and is usually only used in specific contexts, such as politics or bribery cases.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of buy off and stay off

Buy off and stay off are both informal phrases that can be used in casual conversations. However, buy off can also be used in more formal settings such as legal or political discussions.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of buy off and stay off

The tone of buy off is often negative or suspicious, as it implies that someone is being paid to do something unethical or illegal. The tone of stay off is more neutral and can be either positive or negative depending on the context.

buy off & stay off: Synonyms and Antonyms

Stay off

Synonyms

Antonyms

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