Definition

Phrasal Verb: - To deliberately avoid entering, walking on, or using a specific area or thing. It implies a conscious choice to keep away from a place or to refrain from a particular action, often because it is prohibited, dangerous, or undesirable.

Usage

This phrasal verb is transitive and requires an object (the thing or place being avoided). It is commonly used in imperative commands, warnings, and general statements of advice or rule.

Examples

• The sign clearly says to stay off the new concrete.
• For your own safety, please stay off the construction site.
• The doctor advised him to stay off his injured ankle for a week.
• You should stay off that subject if you want to avoid an argument.

Advanced Usage

• "Stay off of [something]": In informal speech, "of" is sometimes added, though "stay off [something]" is the standard construction.
  • Informal: Stay off of my lawn!
  • Standard: Stay off my lawn!
• The phrasal verb can be used figuratively to mean avoiding a topic of conversation or a type of behavior.
  • During the family dinner, we all agreed to stay off politics.

Variants and Related Words

• Keep off: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "stay off," especially in warnings (e.g., "Keep off the grass").
• Avoid: A more general verb meaning to keep away from or stop oneself from doing something.
• Refrain from: A more formal synonym meaning to stop oneself from doing something.

Synonyms

• Keep away from
• Steer clear of
• Avoid

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Stay away from: Has a very similar meaning but can imply maintaining a greater physical or metaphorical distance. ("Stay away from the edge" vs. "Stay off the grass").
• Stay out of: Specifically means to not enter a place or to not get involved in a situation. ("Stay out of my room" / "Stay out of their disagreement").

Related Idioms

• Give (something) a wide berth: To avoid something or someone by a large margin.
  • I'd give that area of town a wide berth at night.

Verb

1. refrain from entering or walking onto
   • keep off the grass
   • stay off the premises