Literally it means to shed off, such as skin particles when one has dry skin, or like a snake's skin sloughs off. Or, the side of a hill or mountain or any type of rise can slough off, meaning small parts of it breaking off and falling. But, it can also be used to mean to shake a bad habit, or to shake off a bad play by a sports player and focus back on the game.
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.