separate off

separate off (from someone or something)

1. To split off, disconnect, or become isolated (from other people or things). My friends and I separated off from the tour group to look at a different exhibit on our own. The power unit keeps separating off. We'll need a new way to keep it attached to the machine.
2. To remove and isolate someone, something, or a group from one or more other people or things. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used either before or after "off." I had to separate the troublesome student off from the rest of the class. Please go through that huge stack of books and separate off the ones that you want to keep.
See also: off, separate, someone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

separate off (from something)

to move or head away from something. The road to the cabin separates off from the main road and goes along for a mile or two. It separates off about a mile from here.
See also: off, separate
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • (I've) got to take off
  • be off for (something)
  • be off for sth
  • (Now) where was I?
  • be well off for (something)
  • be well off for something
  • be off with you
  • break off
  • base off (of) (something else)
  • bounce off the walls
References in periodicals archive
The effect of the Law is to surround and separate off the Jewish community, as if by iron walls.
Die Septuaginta zwischen Judentum und Christentum
There is, however, potential to separate off one end of the property for a granny annex or holiday let.
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He has gates set up so that he can separate off cows at milking time and get them into the crush quickly and easily on his own.
Strategy proves a healthy option for farm brothers; farming
The world's largest confectionery group said in March it would separate off its Dr Pepper and 7UP unit, and a sale to private equity buyers seemed most likely, until turbulence in the debt markets forced the auction to be delayed in late July.
Cadbury reject bid due to financing offer; DRINKS
We could also separate off banking and petrol businesses.
Suppliers hit by shop style
Well, I happen to think that we do because none of the other two parties want to, for instance, separate off high street banking from casino banking and really get them lending to British business."
Last big TV chance for with focus now firmly; Think tank says all need to be honest on spending cuts
(For a traditionalappearance, separate off a little dough, make little marble-sized spheres and press these into dents in the individual brioches).
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