off to the side

off to the side

Aside or apart (from a group or main area of something), especially to be out of the way or out of earshot. The teacher saw that I was upset, so she took me off to the side to ask if everything was all right. The police officer motioned for me to pull off to the side of the road so that I wouldn't block traffic. The poor kid stood off to the side and didn't talk to anyone for the whole party.

See also: off, side, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*off to the side (with someone)

moving aside with someone to discuss something. (*Typically: get ~; go ~; move ~; Step ~.) I got off with Charles and we discussed the contract. I moved off to the side with the client and explained the offer a little better.

See also: off, side, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.