mark off

Related to mark off: stick to, sort out, mark out, ease off, brace up, bring down

mark off

1. To put a mark of some kind by a name or thing on a list as an indication of something (e.g., completion of a task, attendance of something, etc.). A noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "off." Please mark off each item on the list if you see it in the warehouse. I'll mark you off when I am satisfied you've done the assignment as I requested.
2. To lower the score or grade of someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "off." The professor marked me off because I didn't show all of my work. While we really like the internal specs of the phone, we have to mark it off because of the cheap-feeling plastic they used in its body.
3. To establish the perimeter or boundary of some area with a visual marker. A noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "off." We'll need to mark off the plots of grass that have already been sprayed with weed-killer. The police marked the crime scene off with yellow tape.
4. To establish or indicate that one person, thing, or group is different or separate from others. A noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "off." The ability to navigate current technologies with such comfort and proficiency marks off these young people from their parents' generation. The premium build quality really marks this phone off from its competitors.
See also: mark, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

mark someone or something off

 and mark someone or something out
to cross off the name of someone or something. They were late, so I marked them off. I marked off the late people. Could you mark that title out? It has been discontinued.
See also: mark, off
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

mark off

v.
1. To indicate the boundary of some region: The rows of trees on either side of the property mark off our part of it. The lime marks the playing field off.
2. To make a mark or sign by the name of someone or something on some list, especially to indicate completion of a task or an intention to do a task: As I delivered each package, I marked off the name of the addressee to make sure I hadn't forgotten anyone. Well, that task is finished, so let's mark it off the list.
3. To lower someone's score or grade by some amount due to some error: My professor marked me off a grade for being late. The teacher marks off five points for each spelling error. The judges marked the dancers off for dancing over the time limit.
See also: mark, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • mark (someone or something) down as (something)
  • check off
  • get off the mark
  • mark my word
  • mark my word(s)
  • mark my words
  • be quick off the mark
  • be quick/slow off the mark
  • quick off the mark
  • be slow off the mark
References in periodicals archive
A big improver on the flat last summer, when completing a hat-trick which culminated in victory off a mark off 77 in the Irish Cesarewitch in Navan, the five-year-old Fast Company gelding took advantage of a lenient hurdle mark to win twice in May.
Harry can Lord it in Ballinrobe
Natalie Higgins tied it in the 75:00 mark off a Farris assist to set the stage for Farris' game-winner.
Salko, Matsuoka lead Oregon into match-play semis
Using the published co-ordinates, simply mark off the corresponding squares on your grid.
DIG FOR TREASURE; Full terms & conditions for our game
If you are able to mark off all three numbers on any one of the six prize grids during the game, you win the prize above that grid.
IS THERE REAL CASH IN YOUR WALLET? A pounds 50 NOTE COULD BE INSIDE YOUR FAVOURITE SUNDAY
The four-year-old looked extremely impressive when destroying the field off a mark off 99 in a Newbury handicap and then stepped up to 7f to win the Group 3 John of Gaunt Stakes with ease.
BEST LONGSHOT
The course takes the fleet to the north passing a mark off Barbuda, the islands of Nevis, Saba and St Barths, to circle St Martin before heading down to Guadeloupe as the most southerly point, then back up to a mark off Barbuda before returning to finish in Antigua, a total of 605 nautical miles.
RORC and Antigua Yacht Club organise new Carribean race
Despite an increase of 5lb, Cassia Heights is still below the mark off which he won at Aintree last year.
RACING : Improving Cassia can hit heights at Ludlow
The walls and the floors were painted in Superflex's signature colors-orange, white, black-to mark off each project, while the titles and explanatory texts appeared on the walls like the bold slogans of billboards.
Superflex: Rooseum. (Reviews: Amsterdam)
DARREN Morris, of Grangetown, boated a specimen pouting of 3lb 2oz when he fished a mark off Stout Point from Paul Crossman's charter boat Ben Joma.
Angling: Darren pouts for joy
Tie a rope to the base of the pole and mark off 3 feet on the rope for each color of the target - white, black, blue, red, yellow.
Teaching archery: games, tips and techniques
The game was scoreless until Jaime Miralles scored at the 80:44 mark off a Jordan Jones assist.
Beavers drop UNLV in men's soccer
Players can win an instant [euro]500,000 with Daily Million Plus if lucky enough to mark off 6 numbers.
Million draw to take place twice daily
Although his last Flat outing in October 2007 was off a mark off 75, Bowen was able to buy him for just 3,500gns at the Newmarket July sales this year.
ON THE MOVE; Horses having their first run for a new trainer