Phrasal verb
burn off
Meanings
To remove or get rid of something by burning it away.
To use up energy, calories, or stress through exercise or activity.
To disappear as heat or sunlight increases, especially referring to fog or cloud.
Definition
To burn off means to remove something by burning it or by using energy through activity.
Burn off is used when something disappears because it is burned away, such as fog, fuel, or excess chemicals. It is also commonly used for using exercise or activity to use up extra energy or calories. The focus is on something being reduced or eliminated over time.
Examples
- I went for a long walk to burn off the extra energy.
- The sun will burn off the fog by mid-morning.
- They burned off the old brush in a controlled fire.
- She did a quick workout to burn off stress after work.
Common mistake
Learners often say "burn out" instead of "burn off" when they mean to use up calories or energy through exercise.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.