sign-off
sign-off — phrasal verb
1. to write a closing phrase at the end of a letter, email, or message before addin
to write a closing phrase at the end of a letter, email, or message before adding your name
Apinya signed off her letter with 'All the best' before putting it in the envelope.
sign off + [letter/email] + with [phrase]
For formal emails, Lauren always signs off with 'Best regards' followed by her full name.
The old-fashioned letter was signed off with 'Yours faithfully' and a flowing signature.
To her aunt, Esme signed off each email with a heart next to her name.
用法筆記
Common in British English with phrases like 'Yours sincerely' (formal) or 'All the best' (semi-formal).
常見錯誤
2. to bring a television or radio show to a close, typically with a farewell or a f
to bring a television or radio show to a close, typically with a farewell or a final piece of music
The late-night DJ signed off at two in the morning with a slow jazz track.
sign off + at [time] + with [song/music]
Before the station signs off for the night, the announcer thanks the listeners.
Nala listened as the radio host signed off with the same cheerful phrase every evening.
The news anchor signed off by saying 'Good night and stay safe' to her viewers.
- close the broadcast
more formal and less common
- go off the air
emphasises the transmission ending rather than the presenter's farewell
用法筆記
Before TV and radio stations had 24-hour programming, 'signing off' meant the station would go off the air until morning.
常見錯誤
3. to mark a plan, document, or project as officially accepted by adding your signa
to mark a plan, document, or project as officially accepted by adding your signature
The finance director signed off on the new equipment budget after a long review.
sign off on [budget/proposal/plan]
Before construction can begin, the city council must sign off on the building plans.
Pim's manager signed off on his request to attend a conference in Singapore next month.
The safety inspector refused to sign off until all the fire exits were clearly marked.
- approve
more general; 'approve' does not emphasise the physical signing act
- authorise
more formal; suggests the person has the official power to say yes
- rubber-stamp
informal, negative: to approve without proper review
文法句型
sign off on [plan/project/document]
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'on' to state what is being approved ('sign off on the proposal'). The person who signs off is typically in a position of authority.
常見錯誤
sign-off — verb
1. to stop broadcasting or transmitting, so that a station or channel goes off the
to stop broadcasting or transmitting, so that a station or channel goes off the air for a period
The AM station signed off at sunset, and the frequency stayed silent until morning.
sign off at [time] — station ceasing transmission
The radio tower signed off automatically at midnight when the transmitter shut down.
automatic / passive: transmitter signing off
The coast guard station signed off the emergency channel after the last boat reached harbour.
During the storm, the coastal weather station signed off abruptly when its backup generator failed.
- go off the air
describes the station ceasing transmission, common in radio and TV
- cease broadcasting
more formal and technical
- shut down
can refer to a station or transmitter ending operations
用法筆記
Unlike the phrasal-verb END BROADCAST sense, which describes a presenter signing off a show with a farewell message or music, this verb focuses on the technical or operational act of ceasing transmission — the station going off the air or the operator closing a channel.
常見錯誤
2. to confirm or certify that something has been completed, inspected, or meets req
to confirm or certify that something has been completed, inspected, or meets required standards, typically by adding a signature or check mark
The lab technician signed off the calibration log after checking each thermometer reading.
sign off + [log/report] — certifying inspection complete
Every medicine batch was signed off by the quality officer before leaving the factory.
passive: be signed off by [inspector/officer] — compliance certification
The airline mechanic signed off the maintenance log after checking the aircraft engine.
Before the software launch, the quality assurance team must sign off on every new feature.
文法句型
sign off on [something]
用法筆記
Unlike the phrasal-verb FORMAL APPROVAL sense, which means giving official permission to proceed (an executive approving a project), this verb focuses on certifying that work has been completed or standards have been met (a mechanic certifying a repair is done, a QA team confirming a feature works).