Phrasal verb
drive off
Definition
phrasal verb. to leave a place in a car or another vehicle. You use this when you see someone start their engine and go away.
phrasal verb. to depart from a specific location in a motor vehicle. The verb is typically intransitive in this sense, focusing on the act of leaving rather than the destination.
Examples
“He got into his car and drove off.”
“After saying goodbye to her parents, she started the engine and slowly drove off down the quiet street.”
“The witnesses reported seeing a dark sedan drive off at high speed immediately following the sound of the collision.”
Examples
simple
“He got into his car and drove off.”
contextual
“After saying goodbye to her parents, she started the engine and slowly drove off down the quiet street.”
complex
“The witnesses reported seeing a dark sedan drive off at high speed immediately following the sound of the collision.”
Usage
This phrase is usually intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'drive away'; 'drive off' often highlights the suddenness or the visual of the vehicle disappearing from view.
Pitfall
The car drove off the garage.
The car drove off from the garage.
When used with a starting point, the preposition 'from' is required because 'drive off' is intransitive.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
drive + off
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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