English Reference

Phrasal verb

cap off

Definition

phrasal verb. to finish or complete something in a satisfying or impressive way.

phrasal verb. to conclude an event or series of actions with a final, often superior or definitive, achievement or gesture.

Examples

“We capped off the night with a delicious dessert.”

“The team capped off their perfect season by winning the championship trophy in front of their home fans.”

“The architect decided to cap off the skyscraper with a glass spire that would reflect the sunset across the entire city skyline.”

Examples

simple

“We capped off the night with a delicious dessert.”

contextual

“The team capped off their perfect season by winning the championship trophy in front of their home fans.”

complex

“The architect decided to cap off the skyscraper with a glass spire that would reflect the sunset across the entire city skyline.”

Usage

usually used with a positive or successful conclusion to a series of events.

Teaching tip

anchor the meaning with the image of putting a 'cap' or lid on a bottle to finish it; it is often used in sports and business contexts.

Pitfall

He capped the ceremony off it.

He capped the ceremony off.

if using a pronoun like 'it', it must come before the particle 'off' because this verb is optional in its separability.

Phrasal verb

Particles

off

Separability

optional

Pattern

cap + (object) + off

Synonyms

Antonyms

Grammar

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference