shove off
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To set a boat in motion by pushing with an oar or boathook.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
And so my boys and I stood on the bank of the Snake River in the spring of ’98, feeling that ancient urge to shove off.[…]But we had a brand-new canoe and the paddles were in hand and, sure, I have never floated the Snake in a canoe, not any other river for that matter, but what the heck.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To leave or scram.
Register: informal
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “shove off” mean?
To set a boat in motion by pushing with an oar or boathook.
Is “shove off” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.