turn sth off
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to stop a machine or a light from working by using a switch or button.
phrasal verb. to stop the operation or flow of a device, appliance, or supply by means of a switch, valve, or control.
Please turn the lights off when you leave.
I always turn my phone off before the movie starts so it doesn't ring.
The technician had to turn the main power off before he could safely inspect the damaged electrical wiring in the basement.
- stop
- shut down
- switch off
- deactivate
- turn on
- switch on
- activate
- Particles
- off
- Separability
- optional
- Pattern
- turn + (object) + off
used with electrical devices, engines, or water and gas supplies.
this is a separable phrasal verb; remind students that if the object is a pronoun like 'it', it must go in the middle.
Turn off it.Turn it off.when the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.
Last updated April 24, 2026