# clean off

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/clean-off
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to remove dirt or unwanted marks from the surface of something.

For teachers: to remove a substance or layer of debris from a surface; typically implies a wiping or scrubbing action to restore the surface to its original state.

## Examples

- Please clean off the table after you finish eating.
- He used a damp cloth to clean off the mud that had dried on his boots.
- The restoration team worked delicately to clean off centuries of soot and grime from the cathedral's marble altar without damaging the stone.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I need to clean off of the counter." but "I need to clean off the counter." — the word 'off' acts as the particle here and does not require an extra 'of' before the object.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by the surface being cleaned or the specific substance being removed.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'clean up' (which focuses on tidying a whole area) versus 'clean off' (which focuses on a specific surface); 'off' emphasizes the removal of a layer.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.