Pronunciation: [bˈʌmp ˈɒf] (IPA) 
The phrase "bump off" consists of two words that can have various meanings: "bump" means to jostle or hit lightly, while "off" is often used as a preposition indicating movement away from a place or thing. In this context, "bump off" has a specific connotation - it means to kill someone or something. The IPA phonetic transcription for "bump off" is /bʌmp ɒf/, with stress on the first syllable of "bump."
The term "bump off" is an idiomatic expression essentially meaning to kill someone, typically in a planned or premeditated manner. It is a colloquial and informal phrase that originated in the early 20th century, primarily in American English. The word "bump" in this context refers to the act of physically eliminating or getting rid of someone, often by causing them harm or causing their death. "Off" serves as an adverbial particle that intensifies the action.
The phrase is commonly used in the context of crime fiction, movies, or everyday conversation to imply the deliberate murder or assassination of an individual. It suggests a secretive and clandestine act, usually carried out with the intention of avoiding detection or legal consequences. While "bump off" originated in criminal slang, it has become more widely understood and occasionally adopted into mainstream vocabulary.
The expression can also be used metaphorically, or in a non-literal sense, to refer to the elimination or removal of an object or concept. In this sense, it implies a forceful or abrupt action that causes something to cease to exist or be eliminated swiftly and decisively. However, it is important to note that "bump off" is primarily associated with the act of killing or murdering someone intentionally and is used as such in most contexts.
The phrase "bump off" is derived from the American slang term "bump" which originated in the early 1900s. "Bump" was used to mean "murder" or "kill" as a verb. The exact origin of the term is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the criminal underworld of Chicago or New York.
The word "off" in this context simply means "to cause someone's death". It is often used as an intensifier, giving more emphasis to the act of killing. Therefore, "bump off" means to kill or murder someone.
It is important to note that "bump off" is an informal phrase and is mainly found in colloquial language or in fictional contexts such as crime novels, movies, or TV shows.
