to leave a place by driving a car or other vehicle away.
After saying goodbye, she got in her car and drove off.
A: Where did Dad go? B: He just drove off to work.
In my hometown, people often drive off early in the morning to avoid traffic.
Common mistake
✗She drove off with her car quickly.
✓She drove off quickly.
'Drive off' already implies a vehicle — 'with her car' is redundant.
Tell it apart
He just drove off.
left by car
He drove the dog off.
forced it away
Use 'drive off' when you want to say someone left a place in a car, not just moved it a short distance.'Drive away' can mean to move a car from one spot, but 'drive off' usually means to leave the area completely.
to make someone or something leave a place, often by using threats or force.
The loud noise drove off the stray dogs from the yard.
A: How did you get rid of the birds? B: I clapped my hands and drove them off.
Sometimes, farmers have to drive off wild animals to protect their crops.
Common mistake
✗The smoke drove off the bees away.
✓The smoke drove the bees off. / drove off the bees.
Don't double up with 'away' — 'drive off' already means force away.
Tell it apart
High prices drove customers off.
forced them away
They drove off without paying.
left by car
Use 'drive off' when someone is made to leave, not just scared a little.'Drive off' is stronger than 'scare away' and suggests more action to make someone leave.