Phrasal Verbs

Unit 6.1 - "Off" meaning "Departing"

Guess the meanings of the phrasal verbs from context:
- I can drop you off at the station. It's on the way.
- When shall we get off to the airport tomorrow?
- John is heading off to Hokkaido for 2 weeks.
- Jim is leaving tomorrow. Are you going to the airport to see him off?
- The plane can't take off because of the bad weather.
All these phrasal verbs have the meaning of "departing". See Explanations ê
Explanations:

Drop off

(separable)

To take someone, or to deliver something, to a place (usually in a car)
>>On your way to work, could you drop off the books at the library?

>>I'm going in the direction of your office, so I can drop you off on the way.

Get off

(inseparable)

To depart for a journey or to leave a place to go somewhere
>>I want to get off early tomorrow morning so we can get to our destination in the afternoon.
>>I have to get off to the office now.

Head off

(inseparable)

To start a journey
>>Every year in August, we head off to the mountains in Vancouver.

>>Where are you heading off this summer?

Also Set off

See off

(separable)

To go to the airport, etc. in order to say goodbye to someone
>>I am going to the airport to see my husband off.

To force someone to leave a place
>>Don't try to force your way into my house, or I will ask my dogs to see you off.

Take off (inseparable)

[For airplanes, birds, or insects] To begin to fly
>>I like watching airplanes take off.
>>Look at that baby eagle trying to take off!

Exercise:
- Complete the following conversation:
  - Bill: Where are you to this summer?
  - Jan: New Zealand.
  - Bill: Cool! When you are leaving?
  - Jan: Actually, tomorrow.
  - Bill: Tomorrow? Want me to you at the airport?
  - Jan: No, don't worry about it.
  - Bill: How are you going to the airport then?
  - Jan: By train.
  - Bill: Well then, at least let me you at the train station.
  - Jan: OK. Thanks.
  - Bill: So what time are you tomorrow?
  - Jan: Well, the plane will at 8 a.m., so I have to at around 4 from here.
  - Bill: 4 a.m.?!

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