# take sth off

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

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

## Definition

to remove a piece of clothing or an accessory from your body.

For teachers: to remove a garment, footwear, or accessory from the person; transitive phrasal verb with a concrete physical object.

## Examples

- Please take your shoes off before you enter the house.
- He took his coat off and hung it on the hook behind the door.
- The surgeon took off his gloves with practiced precision after the procedure was successfully completed.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Take off it." but "Take it off." — when the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- commonly used with items of clothing, jewelry, or glasses.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'put on' as the direct antonym; highlight that it is separable, especially when using pronouns like 'it' or 'them'.

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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.