drain off

phrasal verb

drained off; draining off; drains off
1
: to cause (a liquid) to flow away from something or to leave the surface of something
When the beans have cooked long enough to be tender, drain off the water and set them aside.
2
: to take (something important or valuable) from something
An independent candidate could drain off votes from either party.

Examples of drain off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Call a licensed plumber to fix the leak and drain off any remaining water from the pipes. Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 19 Jan. 2024 In a 10-inch skillet cook sausage and onion over medium-high until meat is browned; drain off fat. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Drain off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drain%20off. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

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