shoot off

To leave a place quickly, often because you have something else to do.

• I need to shoot off.
• She shot off home as soon as class ended.
• Can you stay, or must you shoot off now?

How to use it: shoot off to somewhere (He shot off to the station.)

Similar words: rush off, dash off

Common phrases: shoot off home, shoot off early, shoot off to work

To send a message or say something quickly, often without thinking carefully first.

• I will shoot off an email.
• He shot off an angry reply without checking the facts.
• She shoots off a quick message after each meeting.

How to use it: shoot off something to someone (I shot off a note to my manager.); shoot something off (She shot it off before reading it again.)

Similar words: fire off, dash off, send

Common phrases: shoot off an email, shoot off a reply, shoot off something

To cause something to break away from a larger thing by hitting it with a bullet.

• He shot off the lock.
• A bullet shot off part of the statue’s ear.
• The soldier had two fingers shot off during the battle.

How to use it: shoot something off (The bullet shot a branch off the tree.); have something shot off (He had a finger shot off in the war.)

Common phrases: shoot off a branch, shoot off the lock, shoot off something

To film beyond the edge of a set, accidentally showing things outside the intended scene.

• The camera shot off the set.
• We shot off during filming and caught the lighting crew.
• Check the frame so you do not shoot off the set.

How to use it: shoot off the set (The operator shot off the set during the wide shot.)

Common phrases: shoot off the set, shoot off accidentally, shoot off during filming