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Mr. Tom Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Give them off

Hi

We use this phrase "give off" very often on this side of the Atlantic. How would a native speaker say this?

[A gives private lessons to a few students in the evening at his place.]

A - Come with you? What about my students in the evening?
B - Just give them off.
A - Give them off? I've already given them off twice this week.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

That phrase is not correct in Western English. You could say eg Just cancel them (ie the lessons). eg Just call them off (ie the lessons) eg Just postpone them to tomorrow.

— Clive

  • That phrase is not correct in Western English.
  • You could say eg Just cancel them (ie the lessons).
  • eg Just call them off (ie the lessons) eg Just postpone them to tomorrow.
  • (ie the lessons) Clive
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5 Answers
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That phrase is not correct in Western English. .

You could say
eg Just cancel them (ie the lessons).
eg Just call them off (ie the lessons)
eg Just postpone them to tomorrow. (ie the le
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Thanks, Clive.

What about:

Just let them off?

Does it sound natural?

Tom

PS: So the dialogue would still be OK?

A - What about my students?
B - Just cancel them. (lessons)
B - Just call them off. (lessons)
B - Just postpone them. (again lessons)
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What about:

Just let them off? No

Does it sound natural?

Tom

PS: So the dialogue would still be OK?

A - What about my students?
B - Just cancel them. (lessons)
B - Just call them off. (lessons)
B - Just postpone them. (again lessons)
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I am grateful. Just one more question.

Would "let off" work in this situation?

I generally teach for two hours, 4 to 6. But today I had to go shopping, so I let my students off half hour earlier.

If no, then which other phrase would be suitable here?

Tom
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OK.
But I usually say and hear 'let . .go' .

Clive
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