Definition of the word clear off

The phrase "clear off" can be traced back to the mid-1600s, during the English Restoration period. At the time, it was commonly used as a military term, specifically in siege warfare. "Clear off" was used to order soldiers to abandon and evacuate fortified positions or territories they had previously taken or occupied. The origin of the phrase "clear off" is believed to have derived from the military tactic of "clearing" an area of enemy forces. This tactic involved removing or displacing the adversaries from a particular location, usually by force or persuasion. The phrase "clear off" took this meaning and extended it to mean departure or evacuation, independent of a military context. Over time, the usage of "clear off" evolved to embrace everyday situations outside of military contexts. Today, "clear off" is used colloquially to signify departures, evictions, or a request to vacate a particular place, such as a store or a public transportation vehicle. In summary, "clear off" originated in the military lexicon as a command to withdraw from occupied territories during siege warfare, and its meaning has since broadened to encompass the more general context of departures or evictions from a particular area.