What Does โStrike sb off sthโ Mean?
โStrike sb off sthโ means to officially remove someone from a list or register, especially in a formal or legal context.
Introduction
The phrasal verb โStrike sb off sthโ is commonly used when someone is removed from an official list, such as a professional register, membership list, or legal record. Understanding the Strike sb off sth meaning helps learners grasp how this phrase is used in formal English. It often relates to people losing their rights, status, or membership due to certain actions or decisions. This expression is useful in legal, medical, and professional contexts, making it important for learners to recognize and use it correctly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal Verb: Strike somebody off something (e.g., a register)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 โ C1
- Short Meaning: To officially remove someone from a list or register
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โStrike sb off sthโ is a separable transitive phrasal verb. The object (sb) comes immediately after โstrikeโ and before โoff.โ The list or register (sth) follows โoff.โ
Patterns:
- Strike + somebody + off + something
- Example: They struck him off the medical register.
How to Use Strike sb off sth?
Use โstrike sb off sthโ when talking about officially removing a person from a formal list or register. It is often used in legal or professional contexts. For example, when a doctor loses their license, they can be โstruck offโ the medical register. The phrase emphasizes the official and formal nature of removal.
Examples
Here are some examples of Strike sb off sth in a sentence:
- The lawyer was struck off the bar association for unethical behavior.
- After the investigation, the nurse was struck off the medical register.
- If a teacher breaks the rules, they can be struck off the teaching register.
- The company struck him off their list of approved contractors.
- She was struck off the electoral roll due to outdated information.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the order of words or use the phrase incorrectly. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: They struck off him the register.
- Correct: They struck him off the register.
- Incorrect: He was struck off from the list.
- Correct: He was struck off the list.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include โremove sb from sthโ and โtake sb off sth.โ However, โstrike sb off sthโ implies a formal or official action, often by an authority. โRemoveโ is more general, and โtake offโ is less formal.
Example:
- They removed him from the team (general).
- He was taken off the list (less formal).
- He was struck off the professional register (formal and official).
Common Collocations
Strike sb off is often used with official lists or registers. Here are common objects:
- Register: A formal list of professionals (e.g., doctors, lawyers)
- List: Any official or membership list
- Roll: Voter or membership roll
- Bar association: Legal professionalsโ organization
- Medical register: Official list of licensed medical practitioners
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of strike sb off sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using Strike sb off sth:
Anna: Did you hear about Dr. Smith? He was struck off the medical register.
Ben: Really? Why?
Anna: He was found guilty of malpractice. Now he canโt practice medicine anymore.
Practice
Try this exercise to practice using Strike sb off sth:
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) The council struck her off the voting list.
- B) The council struck off her the voting list.
- C) The council struck her from off the voting list.
Correct answer: A
FAQ
- Q: Can โstrike sb off sthโ be used in informal contexts?
A: It is mostly used in formal or official situations. - Q: Is โstrike sb off sthโ separable?
A: Yes, the object (sb) comes between โstrikeโ and โoff.โ - Q: Can it be used with things other than people?
A: Usually, it refers to people being removed from lists, not objects. - Q: What is the difference between โstrike offโ and โremoveโ?
A: โStrike offโ implies an official or legal removal, while โremoveโ is more general. - Q: Can โstrike sb off sthโ be used in passive form?
A: Yes, for example, โHe was struck off the register.โ
