The phrasal verb "wipe off" is commonly used in informal contexts and can occasionally appear in more formal speech, although it generally remains straightforward and descriptive. It primarily means to clean or remove a substance from a surface by wiping, which makes it most prevalent in household or cleaning scenarios. For example, one might "wipe off the table" after a meal or "wipe off the dirt" from shoes. Aside from its literal meaning, it's not often used metaphorically, but could suggest clearing away or getting rid of something non-physical in informal conversations. Its simplicity and directness limit its use in formal writing, but it serves well in daily verbal exchanges and instructions, especially in contexts where action and cleanliness are emphasized.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To clean a surface by removing dirt, dust, or liquid.
She took a cloth to wipe off the table after dinner.
The car was covered in dust, so he decided to wipe off the windshield.
2. To erase something from a surface, like a whiteboard or chalkboard.
Please wipe off the board after finishing the lesson.
He used his sleeve to wipe off the marker from the glass.