force (someone or something) off (of) (something)

1. To persuade or pressure someone or an animal to get off of something. I wanted the kids to go outside and play in this gorgeous sunshine, but I practically had to force them off the couch. Yeah, good luck forcing the dog off of your side of the bed. Can you force the cat off the couch for a few minutes? That whole section is covered in cat hair, and I want to clean it off.

2. To persuade or pressure someone to resign from or leave a group. Now that we know Fred's involved in the scandal too, we need to force him off the board. Yes, the senator has many detractors, but they'll never force him off the committee without solid proof of wrongdoing. This guy never should have been added to the board of directors in the first place, and now we have to force him off it? Ugh.

force off

1. To persuade or pressure someone or an animal to get off of something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "force" and "off." I wanted the kids to go outside and play in this gorgeous sunshine, but I practically had to force them off the couch. A: "Good luck forcing off the dog." B: "Ugh, but she's on my side of the bed." Can you force the cat off for a few minutes? That whole section of the couch is covered in cat hair, and I want to clean it off.

2. To persuade or pressure someone to resign from or leave a group. A noun or pronoun can be used between "force" and "off." Now that we know Fred's involved in the scandal too, we need to force him off the board. Yes, the senator has many detractors, but they'll never force him off the committee without solid proof of wrongdoing. This guy never should have been added to the board of directors in the first place, and now we have to force him off? Ugh.

force someone or something off (of) something

and force someone or something off

1. Lit. to get someone, something, or an animal off something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) I had to force the cat off the sofa. She just wouldn't be coaxed off. I had to force off the cat. She is so stubborn.

2. Fig. to make someone or a group resign from a board, committee, panel, etc. They forced her off the board before she could change any of their policies. They forced off the dissenters as well as the CEO.