Definition of the word come off

The phrase "come off" originated in Middle English, around the 14th century. It was originally used to describe the act of something detaching or separating from a surface. The literal meaning of "come off" in its earliest usage was "to fall or be torn away from a place," often used to describe the shedding of skin or hair, or the peeling of paint or wallpaper. Over time, "come off" began to be used more figuratively to describe something being removed from a person or situation, particularly something undesired or unpleasant. This figurative sense is still commonly used today, as in the expression "come off well" which means to appear impressive or favorable in a situation, or "come off second best" which means to be beaten or outdone by someone else. The colloquial, and perhaps more familiar, usage of "come off" in contemporary English is in the phrase "come off it," which is typically used as a dismissive response to someone perceived as exaggerating or making misleading claims. Essentially, it means "stop saying that," implying that the listener finds the person's claims implausible or unlikely. In summary, "come off" originated as a literal description of the act of something detaching, but its figurative uses have expanded significantly over time, reflecting the way language evolves as it is used in different contexts and situations.