shut off
يغلق
Literalmente: to close away
Use `shut off` when you want to stop a machine or stop your brain from worrying.
Em 15 segundos
- To stop the flow of electricity, water, or gas.
- To mentally disconnect from work or stress for a while.
- A phrasal verb used for machines, utilities, and mental states.
Significado
This phrase means to stop something from working or flowing, like a machine, a light, or even your own brain when you are tired.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Leaving the house
Don't forget to shut off the gas before we leave for vacation.
Do not forget to stop the gas flow before we leave for vacation.
Talking about work stress
It is hard for me to shut off my brain after a busy day at the office.
It is hard for me to stop thinking about work after a busy day.
A technical instruction
Please shut off the main power supply before repairing the wires.
Please stop the main power before fixing the wires.
Contexto cultural
The phrase gained popularity during the industrial era when valves and engines required physical levers to be 'shut.' Today, it is a key term in the 'mindfulness' movement, where people are encouraged to 'shut off' their digital devices to reduce anxiety.
The 'Middle' Rule
You can say 'shut off the water' or 'shut the water off.' Both are perfect! If you use 'it,' you must say 'shut it off.'
Don't confuse with 'Shut up'
Be careful! 'Shut up' is very rude and tells someone to stop talking. 'Shut off' is safe and refers to machines or feelings.
Em 15 segundos
- To stop the flow of electricity, water, or gas.
- To mentally disconnect from work or stress for a while.
- A phrasal verb used for machines, utilities, and mental states.
What It Means
Shut off is about stopping a flow. Think of water in a pipe or power in a wire. When you shut off something, you cut the connection completely. It is stronger than just saying turn off. It feels final and deliberate.
How To Use It
You can use it for physical objects like a faucet or an engine. You can also use it for yourself. If you had a long day at work, you might shut off your brain. It means you stop thinking about stress. You can put the object in the middle: shut the light off or at the end: shut off the light.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to be clear about stopping something. Use it for utilities like gas, water, or electricity. It is perfect for talking about safety or saving money. Use it when you are overwhelmed and need to ignore the world. It is great for telling a friend you are going to sleep.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for people unless you mean they are ignoring you. Saying "He shut me off" sounds like he stopped listening entirely. It can be a bit rude. For electronic screens like a phone, turn off is more common. Shut off sounds like a mechanical action. Don't use it for closing a door; just use shut or close.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, shutting off is often linked to work-life balance. People talk about the "right to disconnect." This means they shut off their email notifications after 5 PM. It is a sign of mental health awareness. It shows you value your private time.
Common Variations
You might hear shut down for computers or businesses. Shut out means to block someone from entering a place or a conversation. Shut up is the rude version for stopping speech. Stick to shut off for machines and mental breaks to stay polite.
Notas de uso
The phrase is highly versatile and fits in almost any setting. Remember that when using pronouns, 'it' or 'them' must go between 'shut' and 'off' (e.g., 'Shut it off').
The 'Middle' Rule
You can say 'shut off the water' or 'shut the water off.' Both are perfect! If you use 'it,' you must say 'shut it off.'
Don't confuse with 'Shut up'
Be careful! 'Shut up' is very rude and tells someone to stop talking. 'Shut off' is safe and refers to machines or feelings.
The 'Off Switch'
Americans often say someone 'doesn't have an off switch' if they are high-energy or talk too much. It's a funny way to say they never shut off!
Exemplos
6Don't forget to shut off the gas before we leave for vacation.
Do not forget to stop the gas flow before we leave for vacation.
Standard use for household utilities.
It is hard for me to shut off my brain after a busy day at the office.
It is hard for me to stop thinking about work after a busy day.
Metaphorical use for mental relaxation.
Please shut off the main power supply before repairing the wires.
Please stop the main power before fixing the wires.
Formal safety instruction.
I'm shutting off my phone now, see you tomorrow!
I am turning my phone off now, see you tomorrow!
Common in texting to signal the end of a conversation.
How do you shut off this annoying toy? It won't stop singing!
How do you make this annoying toy stop? It will not stop singing!
Expressing frustration with a device.
Quick! Shut off the water valve before the kitchen floods!
Quick! Stop the water before the kitchen is covered in water!
Urgent command in an emergency.
Teste-se
Choose the correct phrasal verb to stop the electricity.
You should ___ the lights to save energy.
We use `shut off` for lights and power to mean stopping the flow of energy.
Complete the sentence about mental health.
I need a weekend at the beach to help me ___ from work.
While `shut down` is possible for computers, `shut off` is the common way to describe a person disconnecting mentally.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of 'Shut Off'
Texting friends about sleep.
Shutting off now. Bye!
Daily chores and machines.
Shut off the engine.
Safety manuals or warnings.
Shut off all valves immediately.
Where to use 'Shut Off'
Utilities
Water or Gas
Mental State
Relaxing after work
Technology
Engines or Alarms
Communication
Ignoring a call
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, but usually to describe their feelings. For example, 'He shut off emotionally' means he stopped showing his feelings.
They are very similar! 'Shut off' sounds a bit more mechanical or permanent, while 'turn off' is used more for electronics like TVs.
No, for a candle we say blow out. Use shut off for things with switches or valves.
Not at all. It is a neutral, helpful phrase. Just don't tell a person to 'shut off' their mouth—that's rude!
It is a specific noun for the handle that stops water or gas. Every house has one for emergencies.
The past tense of 'shut' is still 'shut.' So you say, 'I shut off the lights an hour ago.'
Usually, we use end or wrap up for meetings. Shut off is for the equipment used in the meeting.
It usually means the company stopped your service because a bill wasn't paid. It's a common way to describe utility disconnection.
It is used in both! Both UK and US speakers use shut off for engines and mental breaks.
You can say someone 'shut off' during a talk, meaning they stopped responding or paying attention.
Frases relacionadas
Turn off
To stop a device from working using a switch.
Switch off
A synonym for turn off, very common in British English.
Shut down
To close a computer or a business completely.
Cut off
To interrupt or stop a supply suddenly (like a phone call).
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