English · Phrasal verb Attested

whip off

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Also seen as: to whip off

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To remove something (especially an item of clothing) with a swift movement.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

If you but aſſiſt me, I'll engage to whip her off to France, and you ſhall never hear more of her.

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 run away, to drink off greedily, to snatch. He whipped away from home, went to the alehouse, where he whipped off a full tankard, and coming back whipped off a fellow's hat from his head.

Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)

Where it’s used: Origin British & Irish English

Sources & notes

Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.

Topics: Historical slang (1800s)

Common questions

What does “whip off” mean?

To remove something (especially an item of clothing) with a swift movement.

Is “whip off” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.