What are the definitions of “pack off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Send someone away.
His boss PACKED him OFF to a regional office.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “pack off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb pack off is to send someone away, usually to another place or for a specific purpose. It often implies that the person being sent away is not wanted or needed in their current location.
What are the different verb forms of “pack off”?
| Root Verb | pack off |
| Third Person Singular Present | packs off |
| Present Participle | packing off |
| Simple Past | packed off |
| Past Participle | packed off |
Example
She packed off her children to summer camp.
Example
He packs off his employees to training sessions every year.
Example
They are packing off their son to boarding school.
Example
Last week, she packed off her daughter to her grandparents' house.
Example
The troublesome student was packed off to the principal's office.
What kind of phrasal verb is “pack off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“pack off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She packed off her children to summer camp.
Example
He packed his employees off to a conference.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“pack off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She packed off her children to summer camp.
Example
He packed his employees off to a conference.
Good things to know
Does “pack off” have an informal or formal tone?
Pack off is generally considered informal and is more commonly used in casual conversations. In more formal settings, alternative phrases such as 'send away' or 'dispatch' may be more appropriate.
