mark off

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, attendance, 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. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.