Peel off
/piːl ɔf/
phrasal verbB1phrasal verb form
Definition
"Peel off" has two main meanings. First, it means to take away a layer or covering from something, like peeling the skin off a fruit. Second, it means to leave a group or place by moving away from others, often slowly or in small groups.
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See It in Action
To remove a layer or covering by pulling it away
- •She peeled off the plastic wrap from the sandwich.
- •The paint started to peel off the old wall.
- •After the sunburn, his skin peeled off in flakes.
To leave a group or place by moving away separately
- •The cyclists peeled off one by one during the race.
- •A few cars peeled off the highway to take a rest stop.
- •The soldiers peeled off from the main group to scout ahead.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "peel off" like "take off" (A1 word), but specifically for layers or leaving a group by separating
- ✓Picture peeling a sticker from a book cover carefully, pulling it away little by little
- ✓It's the feeling when you take off a bandage and see the skin underneath
- ✓Sounds like "PEEL OFF" → imagine peeling an orange, the skin comes off in parts
- ✓Think of cars in a race: some cars peel off from the main group to take a different path
- ✓NOT like "remove" (general), "peel off" is about layers or separating from a group, not just any removal
- ✓NOT like "run away" (quick escape), "peel off" is usually slower, more controlled separation
- ✓NOT like "strip" (forceful removal), "peel off" is gentle or gradual
Try Other Words
- •Strip off: to remove clothing or layers quickly (Use when removal is fast or forceful)
- •Detach: to separate something from a whole (Use when something is completely separated, often mechanical or physical)
- •Leave: to go away from a place or group (Use when focusing on the action of going away, not the manner of separation)
- •Break away: to separate from a group, often suddenly (Use when separation is quick or unexpected)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "peel" (to remove a skin or covering) + "off" (away, separate)
- •Etymology: "Peel" comes from Old French "peler," meaning to strip or remove skin; "off" is an English preposition/adverb meaning away or separated
- •Historical development: "Peel off" began as a phrase describing removing skins or layers, later extended to mean leaving a group by separating
- •Modern usage: Used both for physical removal of layers and for describing people or vehicles leaving a group or place gradually
Reflect & Connect
•When might peeling off a layer be helpful or harmful? Can you think of examples?
•How does the idea of "peeling off" help describe social or group behavior in everyday life?
Fill in the blanks
1.She carefully peeled off the ___ from the fruit before eating it.
2.During the race, some runners peeled off ___ the main group to take a break.
3.The old wallpaper started to peel off because of the ___.
4.When the meeting ended, people peeled off ___, leaving the room slowly.
5.The sticker wouldn't peel off easily; I had to ___ it gently.
6.Cars peeled off the highway to ___ at the rest area.
7.His sunburn was so bad that his skin peeled off in ___ pieces.