bear off

bear off

1. To carry or transport someone or something away. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "bear" and "off." We sat teary-eyed on the platform as the train bore our only son off to college. A team of laborers began bearing off pieces of the debris one at a time.
2. In sailing, to steer the boat away from the direction of the wind. The helmsman began shouting for the crew to bear off in order to gain a burst of speed from the increasing wind.
3. In sailing, to steer the boat away from some obstruction or other hazard. Be sure to bear off those rocks. The last thing we need now is a breach in the hull.
4. In backgammon, to clear a checker off the board, the objective of the game. Now that all of his checkers are home, he can begin bearing off.
See also: bear, off

bear off (of something)

To turn or veer off of a road. This phrase is often given as an instruction to someone who is driving. Now bear off of this road and then take the highway entrance to the right.
See also: bear, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bear off (of something)

to turn off a road or course. Bear off the main road to the left. Don't bear off too sharply.
See also: bear, off
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • orient
  • orient to
  • orient to (something)
  • spiff up
  • spiffed up
  • back into
  • back into (someone or something)
  • angle
  • angling
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
References in periodicals archive
friend filmed the attack before thinking to scare the bear off
Escape from a grizzly end
Wolverines are fearless and ferocious and will drive a grizzly bear off a kill.
Theory of lamb killings
Within a hundred yards and just beyond a fine spreading oak tree bear off to the left so leaving the main track.
Rambling: A church that gives you a bit nearer heaven
Lord Stirrup accused President Vladimir Putin of war rehearsals by flying a Tu-95 Bear off Cornwall that was challenged by the RAF.
PUTIN'S PLANES COULD DOWN UK PASSENGER JET; Ex-defence chief's warning on Russian bombers
Then off in the distance you will see a single polar bear off patrolling the ice and it has been doing that the entire winter.
polar scare; Mission to save the starving bear cubs
Thomas was presented with the first ever Teesside Hospice Lotto bear off the production line as his prize.
Thomas picks a lottery winner
In 2000, he shot and wounded his assistant, Deborah Fuller, while trying to scare a bear off his land.
AUTHOR'S SHOTGUN SUICIDE; Thompson found by son
We soon pick up a waymark post (the Worcestershire Pear) to guide us but take care at a bold division of ways not to bear off to the left.
Rambling: A beautiful way to go discovering
The pooch was chained up but scared the bear off with its big barks
Why big isn't always beast.. NATURE'S TOP DAVID & GOLIATH SHOWDOWNS
"The racers however showed great calm in the situation and standing shoulder to shoulder banged their ski sticks together over their heads and this scared the bear off.
Polar scare for ice jockey