drive off — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings

drive off

1leave by car 2force away

Meaning 1 · most common

leave by car

drive off from somewhere

to leave a place by driving a car or other vehicle away.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

After saying goodbye, she got in her car and drove off.

A: Where did Dad go?
B: He just drove off to work.

Common mistake

Not: She drove off ~~with her car~~ quickly.

Say: She drove off quickly.

'Drive off' already implies a vehicle — 'with her car' is redundant.

More on “leave by car”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my hometown, people often drive off early in the morning to avoid traffic.

Tell it apart

He just drove off.

left by car

He drove the dog off.

forced it away

Goes with

drive off + manner

Practice saying this

Next meaning: force away

Meaning 2

force away

drive off sb/sth

to make someone or something leave a place, often by using threats or force.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The loud noise drove off the stray dogs from the yard.

A: How did you get rid of the birds?
B: I clapped my hands and drove them off.

Common mistake

Not: The smoke drove off the ~~bees away.~~

Say: The smoke drove the bees off. / drove off the bees.

Don't double up with 'away' — 'drive off' already means force away.

More on “force away”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Sometimes, farmers have to drive off wild animals to protect their crops.

Tell it apart

High prices drove customers off.

forced them away

They drove off without paying.

left by car

Goes with

drive + intruder + off

Practice saying this

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leave by car force away