The phrasal verb "yank off" is mostly used in informal speech, given its rather casual and sometimes crude connotation. It generally describes the action of removing something quickly or forcefully, such as "He yanked off the bandage." The term is often employed in contexts where there’s a need to express urgency or abruptness in the action of removal. Additionally, "yank off" can veer into slang with potentially sexual connotations, especially in phrases like "yanked off a garment," which should be used cautiously to avoid misunderstandings or offense. Due to these informal and dual meanings, it's not typically encountered in formal writing or speech. Care should be taken to understand the context it’s being used in, as it can either convey a literal, abrupt physical action or embody more figurative or euphemistic senses.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To remove something, usually clothing or an object, suddenly and forcefully.
He yanked off his shoes after coming home from work.
The mechanic yanked off the old part to replace it with a new one.
2. To masturbate (a slang meaning).
He found an old magazine and decided to yank off in privacy.
The character in the movie made a joke about yanking off to relieve stress.