Espantos #151

Like so many other aspects of life, the English language, never ceases to amaze me. In particular, how the addition of prepositions (not necessarily but also, ideomatic expressions) to words* can slightly or dramatically change its meaning... in this case off. Here are some examples (with a little help from google):

buzz off: to leave immediately
call off: to cancel
cut off: interrupt; remove
cutoff: designated limit
dance off: a dancing competition
dash off: write quickly
doze off: to fall into a light sleep unintentionally
drop off: to leave someone/something somewhere

face-off: neutral throw awarded by the referee
fend off: to prevent the occurrence of
flip off: to give someone the finger

get off: to leave
go off: to explode
kill off: to exterminate
layoff: temporary discharge of workers
nod off: to fall asleep
pan off: to wash dirt in a pan to separate precious minerals

piss off: to annoy, anger

pull off: to succeed at something difficult 
put off: to postpone

standoff: a term used to describe a tie
send off: wish a good trip
show off: to boast
switch off: to cause to stop

take off: to depart from the ground; leave; remove

tradeoff: exchange made in order to achieve a compromise
turn off: to cause to stop
wear off: fade away

... and the very latest I've learned: cook-off a cooking contest.
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*Also known as phrasal verbs. English natives never heard about this beginner's nightmare.