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go offline

/ɡəʊ ˈɒf.laɪn/
IELTSAcademic
phrase

To stop using the internet or a network, often for a short time. It can also mean to make a device or service unavailable online.

  • My phone goes offline on the train.
  • The website went offline for maintenance.
  • I usually go offline after 10 p.m.

Adinary Nuance

Go offline is a practical, modern phrase. It focuses on leaving the internet or network connection, while disconnect and log off are narrower. Log off usually means ending a session on a computer or account, while go offline can also mean becoming unreachable or unavailable in a wider sense. It is common in everyday and technical English.

In other languages

Vietnamese
ngắt kết nối
Spanish
desconectarse
Chinese
离线
Japanese
オフラインになる
Korean
오프라인이 되다

Etymology

This phrase uses the word offline, which became common in the late 20th century with computers and the internet. It means not connected to the network.

Common phrases

go offline for a whilego offline temporarilygo offline due to maintenancego offline on purpose

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is go offline the same as log off?
Not exactly. Log off means ending a computer or account session. Go offline is broader and means not being connected to the internet.
Can I use go offline for people?
Yes, in informal English. It can mean someone is unavailable or not responding for a while.
Is go offline formal or informal?
It is neutral and common. It works in everyday speech and business writing.