Phrasal verb
marry off
Definition
phrasal verb. to find a husband or wife for someone, usually a child, so they can leave home and start their own life. You use this when parents or relatives arrange the wedding.
phrasal verb. to arrange the marriage of another person, typically a dependent, often with the implication of discharging a responsibility or securing a social advantage. This transitive verb allows the object to be placed either before or after the particle 'off'.
Examples
“The parents hope to marry off their eldest son next year.”
“In the 19th century, families often tried to marry off their daughters to wealthy landowners to secure their financial future.”
“The plot revolves around a widow's frantic attempts to marry off her four daughters before the family estate is reclaimed by a distant cousin.”
Examples
simple
“The parents hope to marry off their eldest son next year.”
contextual
“In the 19th century, families often tried to marry off their daughters to wealthy landowners to secure their financial future.”
complex
“The plot revolves around a widow's frantic attempts to marry off her four daughters before the family estate is reclaimed by a distant cousin.”
Usage
This phrase often suggests that the person being married has little say in the decision.
Teaching tip
Highlight the 'off' particle as indicating a sense of completion or 'sending away', similar to 'sell off' or 'send off'.
Pitfall
They tried to marry off her quickly.
They tried to marry her off quickly.
When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
marry + object + 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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