English Reference

Phrasal verb

shoot off

Irregular verb

Forms

Infinitive

shoot off

Past

shot off

Past participle

shot off

Definition

phrasal verb. to leave a place very quickly because you are in a hurry. You use this when you need to go somewhere else immediately.

phrasal verb. to depart a location rapidly or abruptly. The verb is intransitive in this sense and often functions as a pragmatic marker to signal the end of a social interaction.

Examples

“I have to shoot off now or I will be late.”

“It was great seeing you, but I need to shoot off to catch the last bus home.”

“The CEO had to shoot off immediately after the presentation to attend an urgent board meeting across town, leaving no time for questions.”

Examples

simple

“I have to shoot off now or I will be late.”

contextual

“It was great seeing you, but I need to shoot off to catch the last bus home.”

complex

“The CEO had to shoot off immediately after the presentation to attend an urgent board meeting across town, leaving no time for questions.”

Usage

This is an informal expression used mostly in spoken English to explain a sudden departure.

Teaching tip

Contrast this with 'take off', which can also mean to leave quickly but is often associated with planes or sudden success.

Pitfall

I need to shoot off the party.

I need to shoot off from the party.

The verb is intransitive in this sense, so you cannot 'shoot off' a place directly; you must use a preposition like 'from' or 'to'.

Phrasal verb

Particles

off

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

shoot + off

Synonyms

dashboltrush offhead out

Antonyms

staylingerremain

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

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
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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