I must be off
Must leave
Littéralement: I (subject) must (obligation) be (state of existence) off (away/departing)
En 15 secondes
- A polite way to announce you are leaving immediately.
- Common in British English for social and professional exits.
- Implies you have other tasks or places to be.
Signification
This is a polite way to say you need to leave right now. It sounds softer than saying 'I am going' because it suggests you have a duty or reason to go.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Finishing a coffee with a friend
Look at the time! I must be off or I'll be late for dinner.
I need to leave now.
Ending a professional catch-up
It was great catching up, but I must be off to my next meeting.
I have to go now.
Texting a group chat while leaving a party
Great party guys, but I must be off! See you all Monday.
I'm leaving the party now.
Contexte culturel
In the UK, 'I must be off' is often preceded by a 'slap' of the knees while sitting down and the word 'Right...' This is a famous non-verbal cue that the conversation is ending. Americans use this phrase, but 'I'd better get going' or 'I'm gonna head out' are more frequent in the Midwest and West Coast. 'I must be off' can sound slightly formal or 'East Coast' to some. Australians often shorten this to 'I'm off' or 'I'm hitting the road.' Using 'must be off' can sound a bit 'posh' or British depending on the social circle. In international business English, this phrase is highly recommended because it is polite, clear, and avoids the bluntness that can sometimes cause cultural friction.
The 'Right' Opener
Always start the sentence with 'Right...' or 'Well...' to signal you are about to say the phrase. It makes the exit smoother.
Don't forget the 'BE'
Saying 'I must off' is a very common mistake for learners. Always include 'be'.
En 15 secondes
- A polite way to announce you are leaving immediately.
- Common in British English for social and professional exits.
- Implies you have other tasks or places to be.
What It Means
I must be off is a classic English way to announce your departure. It means you are leaving immediately. It sounds more natural than I am leaving now. It implies you have somewhere else to be. Use it when you want to sound polite but firm.
How To Use It
You usually say this at the very end of a conversation. It is often preceded by a small word like well or anyway. For example, Well, I must be off! This signals to the other person that the chat is over. You do not need to give a long reason why. The phrase itself suggests you have important things to do. It is a great way to escape a boring conversation gracefully.
When To Use It
Use it when finishing a coffee with a friend. Use it at the end of a work meeting that has finished. It works perfectly when you are at a party and want to go home. It is very common in British English. It feels warm and friendly. It is great for when you are standing up to leave a room.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it in a very serious emergency. If the building is on fire, just run! Do not use it in a text message to break up with someone. That would be very cold. Avoid it in extremely formal writing like a legal contract. It is a spoken phrase, not a written one. Also, do not say it if you are actually staying for another hour. It means you are leaving now.
Cultural Background
This phrase has a slightly 'old-fashioned' charm. It reminds people of polite society and tea times. It is very common in the UK and Commonwealth countries. It reflects the English desire to be polite while avoiding awkwardness. It is a 'soft' exit strategy. It avoids the bluntness of just saying Goodbye.
Common Variations
You can say I'd best be off to sound even more casual. Some people say I must be hitting the road. In the US, you might hear I've gotta take off. If you are in a hurry, you can say I must dash!. All of these share the same 'leaving' energy. Choose the one that fits your mood.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is most common in spoken English. It is safe for almost any social situation. It is particularly useful for non-native speakers because it sounds very natural and 'insider.'
The 'Right' Opener
Always start the sentence with 'Right...' or 'Well...' to signal you are about to say the phrase. It makes the exit smoother.
Don't forget the 'BE'
Saying 'I must off' is a very common mistake for learners. Always include 'be'.
The Reason
In English culture, it's polite to give a small reason after saying 'I must be off' (e.g., '...I have to feed the cat').
Exemples
6Look at the time! I must be off or I'll be late for dinner.
I need to leave now.
A classic way to transition from a chat to leaving.
It was great catching up, but I must be off to my next meeting.
I have to go now.
Professional yet warm.
Great party guys, but I must be off! See you all Monday.
I'm leaving the party now.
Works well as a final message before putting the phone away.
The kids are tired, so I think we must be off.
We need to go home.
You can change 'I' to 'we' for a group.
Is that the time? I must be off... to do literally anything else!
I'm leaving because I'm bored.
Used with a wink to show you're joking.
I'd love to stay, but I really must be off if I want to catch the last bus.
I have to leave right now.
Shows a bit of regret about leaving.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct three words.
It's getting late, I ______ ______ ______ now.
The standard phrase is 'must be off.'
Which response is the most polite way to leave a business lunch?
The lunch is over and you have a meeting in 10 minutes.
This provides a polite reason and uses the correct idiomatic structure.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Would you like another cup of coffee? B: ____________________. I have to pick up my daughter.
'I'd love to, but...' is the perfect polite prefix for this phrase.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
When to use 'I must be off'
Social
- • Parties
- • Coffee
- • Dinners
Work
- • Meetings
- • Desk chats
- • Calls
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesIt's getting late, I ______ ______ ______ now.
The standard phrase is 'must be off.'
The lunch is over and you have a meeting in 10 minutes.
This provides a polite reason and uses the correct idiomatic structure.
A: Would you like another cup of coffee? B: ____________________. I have to pick up my daughter.
'I'd love to, but...' is the perfect polite prefix for this phrase.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral to slightly formal. It's perfect for most social and professional situations.
Yes, but 'I must be off' sounds more idiomatic and slightly softer.
In this context, 'off' means 'away' or 'departing.'
Yes, though less frequently than in British English. Americans might prefer 'I'd better get going.'
Yes, at the end of an informal email: 'Anyway, I must be off to a meeting. Talk soon!'
'I'm off' is more casual and direct. 'I must be off' implies you have a duty to leave.
No, 'off' is not a verb here. It is an adverb.
No, it is actually one of the most polite ways to leave.
Yes! This is a very common way to say you are going to sleep.
Not at all. It usually sounds friendly and regretful that you have to leave.
Expressions liées
I'm off
similarI am leaving now.
I'd better get going
synonymI should leave now.
I must fly
similarI need to leave very quickly.
I'll be on my way
similarI am starting my journey now.
I'm heading out
similarI am leaving the building/place.
