o ff-licence (off-licences ) N‑COUNT An off-licence is a shop which sells beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks. [BRIT ] in AM, use liquor store
o ff li m|its also off-limits
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a place is off limits to someone, they are not allowed to go there. □ [+ to ] Downing Street has been off limits to the general public since 1982. □ [+ to ] Certain areas have been declared off limits to servicemen.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that an activity or a substance is off limits for someone, you mean that they are not allowed to do it or have it. □ Fraternizing with the customers is off-limits. [Also + for ]
off|line ◆◇◇ /ɒ fla I n/
1 ADJ If a computer is offline , it is not connected to the internet. Compare online . [COMPUTING ] ● ADV [ADV with v] Offline is also an adverb. □ Most software programs allow you to compose emails offline.
2 off line → see line
off|load /ɒ floʊ d, [AM ] ɔː f-/ (offloads , offloading , offloaded )
1 VERB If you offload something that you do not want, you get rid of it by giving it or selling it to someone else. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] Prices have been cut by developers anxious to offload unsold apartments. □ [V n + onto ] Already in financial difficulties, Turner offloaded the painting on to the Getty Museum. in AM, usually use unload 2 VERB When goods are offloaded , they are removed from a container or vehicle and put somewhere else. [mainly BRIT ] □ [be V -ed] The cargo was due to be offloaded in Singapore three days later. [Also V n] in AM, usually use unload
o ff-me ssage ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a politician is off-message , they say something that does not follow the official policy of their party.
o ff-pea k ADJ [ADJ n] You use off-peak to describe something that happens or that is used at times when there is least demand for it. Prices at off-peak times are often lower than at other times. □ The price for indoor courts is £10 per hour at peak times and £7 per hour at off-peak times. □ …off-peak electricity. ● ADV [ADV after v] Off-peak is also an adverb. □ Calls cost 36p per minute off-peak and 48p at other times.
o ff-pu tting ADJ If you describe a quality or feature of something as off-putting , you mean that it makes you dislike that thing or not want to get involved with it. [mainly BRIT ] □ However, many customers found the smell of this product distinctly off-putting.
o ff-roa der (off-roaders ) N‑COUNT An off-roader is the same as an off-road vehicle . [INFORMAL ]
o ff-roa ding N‑UNCOUNT Off-roading is the activity of driving off-road vehicles over rough ground. □ …training sessions for anyone who wants to go off-roading.
o ff-roa d ve hicle (off-road vehicles ) N‑COUNT An off-road vehicle is a vehicle that is designed to travel over rough ground.
o ff-scree n also offscreen ADV You use off-screen to refer to the real lives of film or television actors, in contrast with the lives of the characters they play. □ He was immensely attractive to women, onscreen and offscreen. □ Off-screen, Kathy is under the watchful eye of her father Terry. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Off-screen is also an adjective. □ They were quick to dismiss rumours of an off-screen romance.
o ff sea|son also off-season
1 N‑SING [oft N n] The off season is the time of the year when not many people go on holiday and when things such as hotels and plane tickets are often cheaper. □ It is possible to vacation at some of the more expensive resorts if you go in the off-season. □ Although it was off-season, the hotel was fully occupied. □ …off-season prices. ● ADV [oft ADV after v] Off season is also an adverb. □ Times become more flexible off-season, especially in the smaller provincial museums.
2 N‑SING [oft N n] The off season is the time of the year when a particular sport is not played. □ He has coached and played in Italy during the Australian off-season. □ …intensive off-season training. ● ADV [oft ADV after v] Off season is also an adverb. □ To stay fit off season, I play tennis or football.
off|set /ɒ fse t, [AM ] ɔː f-/ (offsets , offsetting ) The form offset is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle of the verb. VERB If one thing is offset by another, the effect of the first thing is reduced by the second, so that any advantage or disadvantage is cancelled out. □ [be V -ed] The increase in pay costs was more than offset by higher productivity. □ [V n] The move is designed to help offset the shortfall in world oil supplies.
off|shoot /ɒ fʃuːt, [AM ] ɔː f-/ (offshoots ) N‑COUNT [usu with poss] If one thing is an offshoot of another, it has developed from that other thing. □ Psychology began as a purely academic offshoot of natural philosophy.
off|shore /ɒ fʃɔː r , [AM ] ɔː f-/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Offshore means situated or happening in the sea, near to the coast. □ …Britain's offshore oil industry. □ …offshore islands. ● ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] Offshore is also an adverb. □ One day a larger ship anchored offshore. □ When they hit the rocks, they were just 500 yards offshore.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] An offshore wind blows from the land towards the sea.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Offshore investments or companies are located in a place, usually an island, which has fewer tax regulations than most other countries. [BUSINESS ] □ The island offers a wide range of offshore banking facilities.
off|shor|ing /ɒ fʃɔːr I ŋ, [AM ] ɔː f-/ N‑UNCOUNT Offshoring is the practice of moving a company's work to a foreign country where labour costs are cheaper. [BUSINESS ] □ Offshoring provides an opportunity to obtain I.T. services at low cost.