Differences between leave behind and leave off
Leave behind means to forget or accidentally not bring something with you when you go somewhere, while leave off means to stop doing something that you were previously doing.
Meanings and Definitions: leave behind vs leave off
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Leave behind
- 1To forget or stop thinking about something.
Being in a bad mood about something that happened at work is not something you leave behind once you shut your office door.
- 2To fail to keep up with others or make progress.
Fashion houses who aren't designing clothes for bigger bodies are going to be left behind.
- 3To abandon or not take someone or something with you when you leave a place.
He had to leave his family behind in Chile.
- 4To provide or leave something for someone, especially in a will or as a legacy.
My mum's worked hard all her life and now has something to leave behind for her kids which is very important to her.
Leave off
- 1To stop doing something or to stop using something.
"" You promised me that if I let you leave off the strapping you would not use that arm.
- 2To omit or not include something.
We're having pie and chips for tea tonight so I'll just eat the meat and the chips and leave off the pastry.
Usage Examples: leave behind, leave off in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
leave behind
Example
I always leave behind my keys when I'm in a hurry.
Example
She leaves behind her wallet every time she goes shopping.
leave off
Example
I decided to leave off watching TV and go for a walk instead.
Example
She leaves off work at 5 pm every day.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Leave behind
To fail to remember or bring something with you.
Example
I forgot my phone at home this morning and had to go back to get it.
To put something in the wrong place and then be unable to find it.
Example
I misplaced my keys and spent an hour looking for them before realizing they were in my jacket pocket.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Leave off
To cease doing something that you were previously doing.
Example
I need to stop eating junk food and start taking better care of my health.
To voluntarily stop doing something that you were previously doing.
Example
He decided to quit smoking after realizing how harmful it was to his health.
To stop doing something that you were previously doing, often due to external factors.
Example
The company had to cease operations due to financial difficulties and lack of funding.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “behind”
Phrasal Verbs with “off”
Differences in leave behind vs leave off: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: leave behind or leave off?
Both leave behind and leave off are commonly used in everyday conversation, but leave off is slightly more common. This is because it's a more versatile phrase that can be used in various situations, while leave behind is mainly used when talking about forgetting or misplacing something.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of leave behind and leave off
Both leave behind and leave off are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, leave off can be used in more formal settings like business or academic contexts to convey a polite tone when asking someone to stop doing something.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of leave behind and leave off
The tone of leave behind and leave off can differ based on context. Leave behind often carries a regretful or apologetic tone when referring to forgetting something important, while leave off typically has a directive or commanding tone, especially when asking someone to stop doing something.
