shut off

What does "shut off" mean?

1. To stop the flow or operation of something
2. To isolate or separate

Examples

• Don't forget to shut off the water.
• The power company shut off our electricity.
• She shut herself off from the outside world.
• Shut off the engine and let it cool.
• The road was shut off due to construction.

How to use it

Similar to 'turn off' but often implies cutting the supply completely.

Word order

Object can go between: 'shut the water off' or after: 'shut off the water'.

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• shut up

  To stop talking (impolite command)

• shut down

  To close a business permanently

• shut out

  To prevent someone from entering

• turn off

  To stop a device or appliance by pressing a switch or button

• get off

  To leave a bus, train, plane, or other public transport

• go off

  To explode or fire (bomb, gun, fireworks)