shut off

To make a machine, light, or electrical device stop working.

• Shut off the light.
• The engine shut off without warning.
• Did you shut the television off before leaving?

How to use it: shut something off (Please shut the computer off.); shut off (The heater shuts off automatically.)

Similar words: turn off, switch off

Opposites: turn on

Common phrases: shut off lights, shut off something

To stop water, gas, or another supply from flowing by closing its path.

• Shut off the water first.
• They shut the gas off after finding a leak.
• Where can we shut off the fuel supply?

How to use it: shut something off (She shut the gas off at the valve.)

Similar words: cut off, turn off

Common phrases: shut off water, shut off gas

To separate someone or something from other people, places, or contact.

• He shut himself off from everyone.
• The flood shut the village off from the outside world.
• Why have you shut yourself off from your family?

How to use it: shut someone/something off from someone/something (The mountains shut the village off from nearby towns.); shut oneself off from someone/something (She shut herself off from her friends.)

Similar words: isolate, cut off, separate

Common phrases: shut off someone, shut off something