Phrasal verb
rain off
Definition
phrasal verb. to cancel or stop an outdoor event because it is raining too hard.
phrasal verb. to cause an outdoor event to be cancelled or postponed due to rainfall. Usually used in the passive voice.
Examples
“The football match was rained off yesterday.”
“We were looking forward to the garden party, but unfortunately it was rained off at the last minute.”
“Despite the organizers' best efforts to cover the pitch, the final match of the tournament was inevitably rained off as the storm intensified.”
Examples
simple
“The football match was rained off yesterday.”
contextual
“We were looking forward to the garden party, but unfortunately it was rained off at the last minute.”
complex
“Despite the organizers' best efforts to cover the pitch, the final match of the tournament was inevitably rained off as the storm intensified.”
Usage
This phrase is almost always used in the passive voice.
Teaching tip
Contrast this British English term with the American equivalent 'rain out'.
Pitfall
The rain rained off the match.
The match was rained off.
This phrase is almost exclusively used in the passive voice with the event as the subject.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
be + rained + 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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