Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[off center]{adv. phr.} Not exactly in the middle. •/Mary hung the picture off center, because it was more interesting that way./

[off-center]{adj.}, {informal} Different from the usual pattern; not quite like most others; odd. •/Roger’s sense of humor was a bit off-center./ Compare: OFF-KEY.

[off-color] or [off-colored]{adj.} 1. Not of the proper hue or shade; not matching a standard color sample. •/The librarian complained that the painter had used an off-color green on the walls./ 2. {informal} Not of the proper kind for polite society; in bad taste; dirty. •/When Joe finished his off-color story, no one was pleased./

[off day]{n. phr.} A period when one is not functioning at his or her best; a period of weakness. •/The champion was obviously having an off day; otherwise she would have been able to defeat her opponent./ Contrast: DAY OFF.

[off duty]{adj.} Not supposed to be at work; having free time; not working. •/Sailors like to go sight-seeing, when they are off duty in a foreign port./ •/It seems that all the taxis in New York are off duty whenever it rains./ — Often used with hyphens, before a noun. •/The bank robber was captured by an off-duty policeman./ Contrast: ON DUTY.

[off feed] or [off one’s feed]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Not feeling well; lacking in vitality; droopy; moody. •/Mary was worried; her canary was off feed./ •/Jerry seemed to be off his feed; he did not joke and laugh with the others./

[off (one/he/she/it) goes!]{v. phr.} Said of a person, a vehicle, or a memorable thing who/which has started leaving or moving, both as a statement of fact (declarative assertion) or as a command (imperative). •/When the boat hit the water in the formal launching ceremony, they cried out simultaneously, "Off she goes!"/

[off guard]{adj.} In a careless attitude; not alert to coming danger; not watching. •/In the second that the boxer was off guard, his opponent landed a knockout punch./ •/Timmy s question caught Jean off guard, and she told him the secret before she knew it./ Contrast: ON GUARD.

[offhand]{adj.} 1. Informal; casual; careless. •/Dick found Bob’s offhand manner inappropriate for business./ 2. In an improvised fashion. •/Offhand, I would guess that at least five thousand people attended the festival./

[off in a flash] See: IN A FLASH.

[off-key]{adj.}, {informal} 1. Not proper; queer. •/When George told jokes at the funeral, everyone thought his action was off-key./ 2. In a false key. •/John always sings off-key./ Compare: OUT OF LINE.

[off limits] See: OUT OF BOUNDS.

[off one’s back]{adj. phr.} 1. {informal} Stopped from bothering one; removed as an annoyance or pest. •/"Having a kid brother always following me is a nuisance," Mary told her mother. "Can’t you get him off my back?"/ •/The singer was so popular with teenagers that he took a secret vacation, to keep them off his back./ Contrast: ON ONE’S BACK(2). See: GIVE THE SHIRT OFF ONE’S BACK.