HACK OFF Meaning and
Definition
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Hack off (phrasal verb):
1. To sever or cut off something with rough, forceful blows or strokes, often using a sharp implement or tool. This term is typically used to describe the action of dismembering or amputating body parts, tree limbs, or any other object with firm strikes. It implies a vigorous and unrefined method of removal.
Example: "After the accident, the firefighter had to hack off the trapped victim's arm to free him from the wreckage."
2. To irritate, annoy, or upset someone, usually by one's actions, behavior, or words. It often refers to causing frustration, anger, or exasperation by means of a deliberate or thoughtless action. This usage is more figurative, describing the emotional impact rather than a physical act.
Example: "Her continuous criticisms really hacked off her colleagues, making the work environment tense and unpleasant."
3. To steal or unlawfully gain access to someone's computer system or network, typically for malicious purposes. In this context, "hack off" implies unauthorized intrusion, breaching security measures, and possibly causing damage or obtaining sensitive information.
Example: "The hackers managed to hack off the company's database, compromising the personal data of thousands of customers."
Overall, "hack off" can refer to physically severing or amputating an object, to irritate or anger someone by actions or words, or to illegally gain access to computer systems. The specific meaning depends on the context in which it is used.
Etymology of HACK OFF
The phrase "hack off" has its root in various meanings and its etymology can be traced back to two different sources:
1. "Hack": The word "hack" is derived from the Old English word "haccian", meaning "to cut or chop roughly". In Middle English, it evolved to "hacken" which referred to striking with an axe or cutting weapon. Over time, "hack" developed additional meanings, including "to cut or chop into pieces", "to cut quickly and roughly", or "to sever". These meanings led to the use of "hack off" as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of cutting off or separating roughly or abruptly.
2. "Hackles": Another possible influence on the phrase "hack off" comes from the idiom "to get one's hackles up".
Idioms with the word HACK OFF
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hack off
To annoy or irritate someone greatly.
Conjugate verb Hack off
CONDITIONAL
I
would hack off
you
would hack off
he/she/it
would hack off
we
would hack off
they
would hack off
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be hacking off
you
would be hacking off
he/she/it
would be hacking off
we
would be hacking off
they
would be hacking off
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have hack off
you
would have hack off
he/she/it
would have hack off
we
would have hack off
they
would have hack off
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been hacking off
you
would have been hacking off
he/she/it
would have been hacking off
we
would have been hacking off
they
would have been hacking off
FUTURE
I
will hack off
you
will hack off
he/she/it
will hack off
we
will hack off
they
will hack off
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be hacking off
you
will be hacking off
he/she/it
will be hacking off
we
will be hacking off
they
will be hacking off
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have hacked off
you
will have hacked off
he/she/it
will have hacked off
we
will have hacked off
they
will have hacked off
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been hacking off
you
will have been hacking off
he/she/it
will have been hacking off
we
will have been hacking off
they
will have been hacking off
IMPERATIVE
you
hack off
we
let´s hack off
to hack off
PAST
I
hacked off
you
hacked off
he/she/it
hacked off
we
hacked off
they
hacked off
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was hacking off
you
were hacking off
he/she/it
was hacking off
we
were hacking off
they
were hacking off
PAST PARTICIPLE
hacked off
PAST PERFECT
I
had hacked off
you
had hacked off
he/she/it
had hacked off
we
had hacked off
they
had hacked off
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been hacking off
you
had been hacking off
he/she/it
had been hacking off
we
had been hacking off
they
had been hacking off
PRESENT
I
hack off
you
hack off
he/she/it
hacks off
we
hack off
they
hack off
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am hacking off
you
are hacking off
he/she/it
is hacking off
we
are hacking off
they
are hacking off
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
hacking off
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have hacked off
you
have hacked off
he/she/it
has hacked off
we
have hacked off
they
have hacked off
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been hacking off
you
have been hacking off
he/she/it
has been hacking off
we
have been hacking off
they
have been hacking off
