This expression means leave quickly because you're in a hurry or there's somewhere you need to be. Learn how to use it here.
Transcript
Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei, and I'm here with Beth.
Beth Hi Feifei. Let's do this quickly. I need to shoot off right after the recording.
Feifei We can't rush! This script is important. 'Shoot off' – this means to leave quickly because you're in a hurry or there's somewhere you need to be.
Beth Sorry, you're right. But I will need to shoot off because I have a dentist appointment, and I can’t be late again.
Feifei Late again? Oh dear. 'Shoot off' is quite common in everyday English for this type of situation.
Beth Yes. If you need to leave early, you might warn people, "sorry, but I have to shoot off after this".
Feifei Yes, for example, I told everyone today I will have to shoot off straight after the meeting tomorrow to catch my train.
Beth Yes, you did say that earlier.
Feifei Let's listen to more examples of 'shoot off'.
Examples I always have to shoot off quickly from work because I don't want to miss my train home.
Sorry, I've just got to shoot off. My mum's calling me.
Sorry team, got to shoot off. I need to pick the kids up!
Beth So 'shoot off' means to leave a place quickly because you need to be somewhere else.
Feifei A similar expression is 'dash off'. We can also say 'head out' but this doesn't have the same sense of urgency as 'shoot off' or 'dash off'.
Beth Right. Are we done? I need to shoot off!
Feifei Yes, yes. Go, go, go! We'll be back next time with another useful English phrase. Goodbye for now.
