Shut off

Meaning

To stop something from operating or flowing like machines, lights, water, gas, electricity etc.
To isolate an area or block access.
To stop responding emotionally or mentally from others.
To disable or restrict incoming signals or connections.

That alarm has been ringing for 10 minutes.
Can you shut it off?

Sorry, I think I was hitting the snooze button.

Hitting snooze is like inviting it back with louder confidence.

Me and the alarm have a toxic relationship.

Can you shut off the movie for a sec?
I swear I heard something outside.

I think the movie is getting to you.

Can you go check the house please?

Okay I’ll pause the movie but now I’m getting scared too.

"Shut off" is a transitive, intransitive, and separable phrasal verb.

Transitive - When you can put the object between the verb and the adverb/preposition, or put it afterwards.
Structure: "Verb + Object + Particle/Verb + Particle + Object"
Example 1: Shut the lights off before you leave.
Example 2: Please shut off the computer when you’re done.
Example 3: They shut the water off because of a broken pipe.
Intransitive - When a verb that doesn't require a direct object to indicate the person or thing acted upon.
Structure: "Subject + Verb + Particle"
Example 1: The engine shut off unexpectedly.
Example 2: My phone shut off during the update.
Example 3: The heater shut off after overheating.
Separable - When an object comes between the verb and particle.
Structure: "Verb + Object + Particle"
Example 1: They shut the power off to fix the electrical issue.
Example 2: The lifeguard shut the wave machine off for maintenance.
Example 3: The driver shut the engine off to save gas while parked.

Related Words: Cut off, deactivate, disable, disconnect, halt, kill, power down, stop, switch off, turn off