Away vs. Off — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 24, 2024
Away implies distance from a specific point, focusing on movement or absence; off suggests disconnection or cessation, often used in turning devices inactive.
Difference Between Away and Off
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Key Differences
"Away" typically indicates a movement from a specific location, suggesting a physical or metaphorical distance. On the other hand, "off" often refers to a state of inactivity or disconnection, such as turning a device off or marking a period when one is not working.
When someone is "away," they are not present in their usual location, possibly traveling or temporarily absent. Whereas "off" can mean being not in operation or active, as in taking a day off from work or a machine being switched off.
In sports, being "away" refers to teams playing in a location not their home venue. Conversely, "off" can be used to describe a player who is not participating in the game, either due to a decision or penalty.
Usage in commands also differs; for example, "move away" directs someone to increase distance from a point, while "turn off" instructs to deactivate something, highlighting operational cessation.
The emotional or figurative uses also vary; one can feel "away" in a sense of being distant from their emotional state, whereas feeling "off" might mean feeling not quite right or slightly ill, reflecting a deviation from normal functioning.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
Indicates distance
Suggests disconnection
Usage in Context
Physical or metaphorical distance
Inactivity or non-operation
Sports Context
Teams playing not at home
Players not participating
Commands
E.g., move away
E.g., turn off
Figurative Meaning
Feeling distant
Feeling slightly ill or not right
Compare with Definitions
Away
Absent from a place.
She will be away on vacation next week.
Off
Not operating or active.
Please turn the lights off when you leave.
Away
Indicating removal or separation.
He brushed the crumbs away from the table.
Off
Marking a departure or start.
The race is off at two o'clock.
Away
Figuratively, emotionally distant.
He seemed away during the meeting, hardly paying attention.
Off
Informal, not feeling normal.
I'm feeling a bit off today, maybe I'm coming down with something.
Away
At a distance from a certain point.
Keep the dogs away from the garden.
Off
In sports, not participating in the game.
He's off the team due to his injury.
Away
In sports, not at one's home venue.
The team plays better when they are away.
Off
Disconnected or detached.
The handle came off the door.
Away
From a particular thing or place
Ran away from the lion.
Sent the children away to boarding school.
Off
Away from the place in question; to or at a distance
The man ran off
She dashed off to her room
We must be off now
Away
At or to a distance in space or time
We live a block away from the park.
Off
So as to be removed or separated
A section of the runway had been cordoned off
He whipped off his coat
Away
At or by a considerable interval
Away back in the 17th century.
Away off on the horizon.
Off
So as to bring to an end or be discontinued
She broke off her reading to look at her husband
The Christmas party rounded off a hugely successful year
Away
In a different direction; aside
Glanced away.
Off
(of an electrical appliance or power supply) not functioning or so as to cease to function
The electricity was off for four days
Switch the TV off
Away
On the way
We want to get away early in the day.
Off
Having access to or possession of material goods or wealth to the extent specified
How are you off for money?
We'd been rather badly off for books
Away
In or into storage or safekeeping
Put the toys away.
Jewels locked away in a safe.
Off
(with preceding numeral) denoting a quantity produced at one time.
Away
Out of existence or notice
The music faded away.
Off
Moving away and often down from
The coat slipped off his arms
He rolled off the bed
Trying to get us off the stage
Away
So as to remove, separate, or eliminate
Chipped the paint away.
Cleared away the debris.
Off
Situated or leading in a direction away from (a main route or intersection)
In a little street off Whitehall
Single wires leading off the main lines
Away
From one's possession
Gave the tickets away.
Off
So as to be removed or separated from
They knocked $2,000 off the price
It's a huge burden off my shoulders
Threatening to tear the door off its hinges
Away
Continuously; steadily
Toiled away at the project for more than a year.
Off
Having a temporary dislike of
He's running a temperature and he's off his food
Away
Freely; at will
Fire away!.
Off
Characterized by performing or feeling worse than usual; unsatisfactory or inadequate
Even the greatest athletes have off days
Away
Absent
The neighbors are away.
Off
(of food) no longer fresh
The fish was a bit off
Away
Distant, as in space or time
The city is miles away. The game was still a week away.
Off
Located on the side of a vehicle that is normally furthest from the kerb; offside.
Away
Played on an opponent's field or grounds
An away game.
Off
Annoying or unfair
His boss deducted the money from his pay. That was a bit off
Away
In golf, having the ball lying farthest from the hole and properly playing first among competitors.
Off
Unfriendly or hostile
There's no one there except the barmaid, and she's a bit off
Away
(Baseball) Out
Bases loaded, with two away.
Off
The half of the field (as divided lengthways through the pitch) towards which the batsman's feet are pointed when standing to receive the ball.
Away
From a place, hence.
He went away on vacation.
Off
The start of a race, journey, or experience
Now Ian is ready for the off
Away
Aside; off; in another direction.
I tried to approach him, but he turned away.
Off
Leave
Supposedly loyal workers suddenly upped and offed to the new firms
Away
Aside, so as to discard something.
Throw away, chuck away, toss away
Off
Kill; murder
I finally snapped and offed the guy
Away
At a stated distance in time or space.
Christmas is only two weeks away.
Off
From a place or position
He walked off in a huff.
Away
In or to something's usual or proper storage place.
I'll dry the dishes and you put them away.
Please file away these documents.
Off
At a certain distance in space or time
A mile off.
A week off.
Away
In or to a secure or out-of-the-way place.
The jewels were locked away in the safe.
He was shut away in the castle tower for six months.
Off
From a given course or route; aside
The car swerved off into a ditch.
Away
From a state or condition of being; out of existence.
Fade away, die away
Off
Into a state of unconsciousness
I must have dozed off.
Away
So as to remove or use up something.
The weather has worn away the inscription, and it is no longer legible.
Please wipe away this spilled drink.
That's where tourists go to hear great Cuban bands and dance the night away.
Off
So as to be no longer on, attached, or connected
He shaved off his mustache.
Away
Come away; go away; take away.
Away! Be gone! And don't let me see you round here again!
Off
So as to be divided
We marked off the playing field by yards.
Away
On; in continuance; without intermission or delay.
She's been in her room all day, working away at her computer.
Off
So as to be no longer continuing, operating, or functioning
She switched off the radio.
Away
Without restraint.
You've got questions? Ask away!
I saw her whaling away at her detractors.
Off
So as to be completely removed, finished, or eliminated
Will the cats kill off the mice?.
Away
(Northern England) come on!; go on!
Off
So as to be in a state of sudden violent or loud activity
The firecracker went off. The alarm went off.
Away
Not here, gone, absent, unavailable, traveling; on vacation.
The master is away from home.
Would you pick up my mail while I'm away.
Off
So as to be smaller, fewer, or less
Sales dropped off.
Away
At a specified distance in space, time, or figuratively.
He's miles away by now.
Spring is still a month away.
Off
So as to be away from or not engaged in work or duty
They took a day off.
Away
Not on one's home territory.
Next, they are playing away in Dallas.
Off
Offstage.
Away
Out.
Two men away in the bottom of the ninth.
Off
Distant or removed; farther
The off side of the barn.
Away
(golf) Being the player whose ball lies farthest from the hole (or, in disc golf, whose disc lies farthest from the target).
Off
Remote; slim
Stopped by on the off chance that they're home.
Away
To depart; to go to another place.
At 9 o'clock sharp he awayed to bed.
Off
Not on, attached, or connected
With my shoes off.
Away
From a place; hence.
The sound is going away.
Have me away, for I am sore wounded.
Off
Not operating or operational
The oven is off.
Away
Absent; gone; at a distance; as, the master is away from home.
Off
No longer taking place; canceled
The wedding is off.
Away
Aside; off; in another direction.
The axis of rotation is inclined away from the sun.
Off
Slack
Production was off this year.
Away
From a state or condition of being; out of existence.
Be near me when I fade away.
Off
Not up to standard; below a normal or satisfactory level
Your pitching is off today.
Away
By ellipsis of the verb, equivalent to an imperative: Go or come away; begone; take away.
And the Lord said . . . Away, get thee down.
Off
Not accurate; incorrect
Your statistical results are off.
Away
On; in continuance; without intermission or delay; as, sing away.
Off
Somewhat crazy; eccentric
I think that person is a little off.
Away
Distant in either space or time;
The town is a mile away
A country far away
The game is a week away
Off
Started on the way; going
I'm off to see the president.
Away
Not present; having left;
He's away right now
You must not allow a stranger into the house when your mother is away
Everyone is gone now
The departed guests
Off
Absent, away from, or not engaged in work or duty
She's off every Tuesday.
Away
Used of an opponent's ground;
An away game
Off
Spent away from work or duty
My off day is Saturday.
Away
(of a baseball pitch) on the far side of home plate from the batter;
The pitch was away (or wide)
An outside pitch
Off
Being on the right side of an animal or vehicle.
Away
From a particular thing or place or position (`forth' is obsolete);
Ran away from the lion
Wanted to get away from there
Sent the children away to boarding school
The teacher waved the children away from the dead animal
Went off to school
They drove off
Go forth and preach
Off
Being the animal or vehicle on the right.
Away
From one's possession;
He gave out money to the poor
Gave away the tickets
Off
(Nautical) Farthest from the shore; seaward.
Away
Out of the way (especially away from one's thoughts);
Brush the objections aside
Pushed all doubts away
Off
(Sports) Toward or designating the side of the field facing the batsman in cricket.
Away
Out of existence;
The music faded away
Tried to explain away the affair of the letter
Idled the hours away
Her fingernails were worn away
Off
Off-color.
Away
At a distance in space or time;
The boat was 5 miles off (or away)
The party is still 2 weeks off (or away)
Away back in the 18th century
Off
So as to be removed or distant from
The bird hopped off the branch.
Away
Indicating continuing action; continuously or steadily;
He worked away at the project for more than a year
The child kept hammering away as if his life depended on it
Off
Away or relieved from
Off duty.
Away
So as to be removed or gotten rid of;
Cleared the mess away
The rotted wood had to be cut away
Off
By consuming
Living off locusts and honey.
Away
Freely or at will;
Fire away!
Off
With the means provided by
Living off my pension.
Away
In or into a proper place (especially for storage or safekeeping);
Put the toys away
Her jewels are locked away in a safe
Filed the letter away
Off
(Informal) From
"What else do you want off me?" (Jimmy Breslin).
Away
In a different direction;
Turn aside
Turn away one's face
Glanced away
Off
Extending or branching out from
An artery off the heart.
Away
In reserve; not for immediate use;
Started setting aside money to buy a car
Put something by for her old age
Has a nestegg tucked away for a rainy day
Off
Not up to the usual standard of
Off his game.
Off
So as to abstain from
Went off narcotics.
Off
(Nautical) To seaward of
A mile off Sandy Hook.
Off
To go away; leave
Off or I'll call the police.
Off
To murder.
Off
In a direction away from the speaker or other reference point.
He drove off in a cloud of smoke.
Off
Into a state of non-operation or non-existence.
Please switch off the light when you leave.
Die off
Off
So as to remove or separate, or be removed or separated.
He bit off the end of the carrot.
Some branches were sawn off.
Off
(theatre) Offstage.
Noises off
Off
Used in various other ways specific to individual idiomatic phrases, e.g. bring off, show off, put off, tell off, etc. See the entry for the individual phrase.
Off
Inoperative, disabled.
All the lights are off.
Off
Cancelled; not happening.
The party's off because the hostess is sick.
Off
Not fitted; not being worn.
Your feet will feel better once those tight boots are off.
The drink spilled out of the bottle because the top was off.
Off
Rancid, rotten, gone bad.
This milk is off!
Off
Disgusting, repulsive, abhorrent.
Off
Less than normal, in temperament or in result.
Sales are off this quarter
Off
Inappropriate; untoward.
I felt that his comments were a bit off.
Off
(in phrases such as 'well off', 'poorly off', etc., and in 'how?' questions) Circumstanced.
Our family used to be well off; now we're very badly off.
How are you off for milk? Shall I get you some more from the shop?
Off
Started on the way.
Off to see the wizard
And they're off! Whatsmyname takes an early lead, with Remember The Mane behind by a nose.
Off
Far; off to the side.
He took me down the corridor and into an off room.
The off horse or ox in a team, in distinction from the nigh or near horse
Off
Designating a time when one is not strictly attentive to business or affairs, or is absent from a post, and, hence, a time when affairs are not urgent.
He took an off day for fishing.
An off year in politics;
The off season
Off
(in phrases such as 'off day') Designating a time when one is not performing to the best of one's abilities.
Off
Presently unavailable.
— I'll have the chicken please.
— Sorry, chicken's off today.
Off
On the side furthest from the kerb (the right-hand side if one drives on the left).
The off front wheel came loose.
Off
(cricket) In, or towards the half of the field away from the batsman's legs; the right side for a right-handed batsman.
Off
Not positioned upon, or away from a position upon.
He's off the roof now.
I took it off the table.
Keep off the grass.
Off
Detached, separated, excluded or disconnected from; away from a position of attachment or connection to.
The phone is off the hook
The coat fell off the peg.
He was thrown off the team for cheating.
We've been off the grid for three days now.
We're off their radar.
He's off the computer, but he's still on the phone.
Off
Used to indicate the location or direction of one thing relative to another, implying adjacency or accessibility via.
His office is off this corridor on the right.
We're just off the main road.
Look! There's a UFO off our left wing!
Off
Used to express location at sea relative to land or mainland.
The island is 23 miles off the cape.
Off
Removed or subtracted from.
There's 20% off the list price.
Off
No longer wanting or taking.
He's been off his feed since Tuesday.
He's off his meds again.
Off
Out of the possession of.
He didn't buy it off him. He stole it off him.
Off
Placed after a number (of products or parts, as if a unit), in commerce or engineeringEngineering.
Tantalum bar 6 off 3/8" Dia × 12" — Atom, Great Britain Atomic Energy Authority, 1972
Samples submitted … 12 off Thermistors type 1K3A531 … — BSI test report for shock and vibration testing, 2000
I'd like to re-order those printer cartridges, let's say 5-off.
Off
To kill.
Off
To switch off.
Can you off the light?
Off
(usually in phrases such as 'from the off', 'at the off', etc.) Beginning; starting point.
He has been very obviously an untrustworthy narrator right from the off.
Off
In a general sense, denoting from or away from; as:
Off
Denoting distance or separation; as, the house is a mile off.
Off
Denoting the action of removing or separating; separation; as, to take off the hat or cloak; to cut off, to pare off, to clip off, to peel off, to tear off, to march off, to fly off, and the like.
Off
Denoting a leaving, abandonment, departure, abatement, interruption, or remission; as, the fever goes off; the pain goes off; the game is off; all bets are off.
Off
Denoting a different direction; not on or towards: away; as, to look off.
Off
Denoting opposition or negation.
The questions no way touch upon puritanism, either off or on.
Off
Away; begone; - a command to depart.
Off
Not on; away from; as, to be off one's legs or off the bed; two miles off the shore.
Off
On the farther side; most distant; on the side of an animal or a team farthest from the driver when he is on foot; in the United States, the right side; as, the off horse or ox in a team, in distinction from the nigh or near horse or ox; the off leg.
Off
Designating a time when one is not strictly attentive to business or affairs, or is absent from his post, and, hence, a time when affairs are not urgent; as, he took an off day for fishing: an off year in politics.
Off
Designating a time when one's performance is below normal; as, he had an off day.
Off
The side of the field that is on the right of the wicket keeper.
Off
Not in operation or operational;
The oven is off
The lights are off
Off
Below a satisfactory level;
An off year for tennis
His performance was off
Off
(of events) no longer planned or scheduled;
The wedding is definitely off
Off
In an unpalatable state;
Sour milk
Off
Not performing or scheduled for duties;
He's off every Tuesday
He was off duty when it happened
An off-duty policeman
Off
From a particular thing or place or position (`forth' is obsolete);
Ran away from the lion
Wanted to get away from there
Sent the children away to boarding school
The teacher waved the children away from the dead animal
Went off to school
They drove off
Go forth and preach
Off
At a distance in space or time;
The boat was 5 miles off (or away)
The party is still 2 weeks off (or away)
Away back in the 18th century
Off
No longer on or in contact or attached;
Clean off the dirt
He shaved off his mustache
Common Curiosities
What is the difference in the figurative use of "away" and "off"?
Figuratively, "away" can mean emotionally or mentally distant, whereas "off" might suggest feeling unwell or abnormal.
How is "off" typically used in a technical context?
In technical contexts, "off" usually denotes something that is deactivated or stopped.
Can "away" be used to describe an emotional state besides distance?
Yes, "away" can also describe feeling disconnected or aloof emotionally, not just physically distanced.
What is the primary meaning of "away"?
Away primarily refers to being at a distance from a particular location or point.
Is "off" used in any specific phrases or idioms?
Yes, "off" appears in phrases like "off the record," meaning not officially documented or announced, and "off base," meaning incorrect or inappropriate.
How might "off" be used in culinary terms?
In culinary terms, "off" can describe food that has gone bad or tastes not as it should, as in "the milk smells off."
Can "away" and "off" be used interchangeably in sports?
No, "away" and "off" have distinct sports-related meanings; "away" refers to playing at a non-home venue, while "off" means not participating.
What does it mean when someone says they are "taking time away"?
When someone says they are "taking time away," it typically means they are taking a break from their usual activities or environment to focus on something else or relax.
In what context might "off" indicate a reduction in price?
"Off" can indicate a reduction in price in a sales context, as in "30% off the original price," meaning the price is reduced by 30%.
What are some common mistakes people make when using "away" and "off"?
A common mistake is using "off" when "away" is more appropriate for indicating distance, and vice versa for cessation or deactivation.
How do "away" and "off" function grammatically in sentences?
"Away" typically functions as an adverb, modifying verbs to indicate movement from a location, while "off" can function as an adverb, preposition, or adjective, depending on its usage.
Can "away" indicate anything other than spatial distance in professional contexts?
In professional contexts, "away" can indicate a detachment from work or duties, as in "away from the office," meaning not present at work.
Are there any specific rules for using "away" in writing effectively?
In writing, it is effective to use "away" to clearly convey physical or emotional distance, ensuring that the context supports the sense of separation or absence.
How does the usage of "off" vary in British versus American English?
In British English, "off" can also mean departing on a journey, as in "What time are we off?" This usage is less common in American English, where "off" more typically refers to cessation or removal.
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Maham Liaqat
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
