What Does “Take sb off” Mean?
“Take sb off” means to remove someone from a position, role, or responsibility. It can also mean to imitate someone in a funny way.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Take sb off” has several common uses in English. Most often, it means to remove someone from a job, task, or situation. For example, a manager might take an employee off a project. Another popular meaning is to copy or imitate someone, usually humorously. Understanding the “Take sb off” meaning helps learners use it correctly in different contexts. This phrasal verb is practical in everyday conversations, especially in work and social settings.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Take sb off (take somebody off)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To remove someone from a role or to imitate someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Take sb off” is separable, meaning you can place the object (sb) between “take” and “off” or after the whole phrasal verb.
- Take someone off (correct)
- Take off someone (less common but sometimes used)
Patterns:
- Take + somebody + off
- Take off + somebody
How to Use Take sb Off?
Use “Take sb off” when talking about removing someone from a task or duty, for example at work or in sports. It can also mean to humorously copy how someone behaves, speaks, or looks. The context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended.
Examples
Here are some examples showing “Take sb off” in sentences:
- The coach decided to take the player off the field after the injury.
- She took him off the project because he was not meeting deadlines.
- He always takes off his boss by copying his voice and gestures.
- They took the actor off the show after the contract ended.
- My friends love to take me off when I talk about my hobbies.
Take sb off in a sentence helps you see how flexible this phrasal verb is.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “take sb off” with other phrasal verbs or use incorrect word order. Here are examples:
- Incorrect: Take off he from the team.
- Correct: Take him off the team.
- Incorrect: I take off my friend when I copy him.
- Correct: I take my friend off when I copy him.
Remember that the object usually comes between “take” and “off.”
Differences / Synonyms
“Take sb off” can be similar to “remove sb,” “dismiss sb,” or “imitate sb,” but each has different uses.
- Remove sb: More formal and general for taking someone away.
- Dismiss sb: Usually means to fire someone from a job.
- Imitate sb: Means to copy someone, but without the phrasal verb form.
“Take sb off” combines these ideas depending on context.
Common Collocations
People often use “Take sb off” with specific nouns. Here are some common collocations:
- Take sb off the team: Remove from a sports team.
- Take sb off a project: Remove from a work assignment.
- Take sb off the air: Stop broadcasting someone on TV or radio.
- Take sb off medication: Stop someone’s medicine.
- Take sb off in a funny way: Imitate someone humorously.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of take sb off:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “Take sb off”:
Anna: Did the manager take you off the project?
Ben: Yes, he said I wasn’t ready yet.
Anna: That’s tough. But you can always join another team.
Ben: True. Also, my friends love to take me off when I tell jokes!
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) The teacher took off the student from the class.
- b) The teacher took the student off the class.
- c) The teacher took student off the class.
Answer: b) The teacher took the student off the class.
FAQ
- Q: Can “take sb off” mean to fire someone?
A: It can mean to remove someone from a task but not always to fire. - Q: Is “take sb off” formal language?
A: It is informal to neutral, used in everyday speech. - Q: Can “take sb off” mean to imitate someone?
A: Yes, it often means to copy someone humorously. - Q: Can I use “take sb off” with objects?
A: Usually, it is used with people, not objects. - Q: Is “take sb off” separable?
A: Yes, you can put the object between “take” and “off.”
