Sign off means to finish: say goodbye at the end of a broadcast or a letter, or stop work for the day. I'm signing off for the day means I'm done for today. With on it means approve, give the final OK: The director must sign off on the final design.
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sign off for the day; sign off with a message; sign off on something
- I'm signing off for the day; please email any remaining questions.
- The host signed off with a reminder about tomorrow's programme.
- The director must sign off on the final design.
What changed
First versionThe director signed off to the final design.
RevisionThe director signed off on the final design.
Agreement often goes with to: agree to, say yes to. So signed off to seems logical. But formal approval is sign off on something: signed off on the final design.
Sign out means log out of an account or record that you've left a building. Sign off means end a conversation or a working day. Approve is the neutral word; sign off on is more informal and often means the last OK before something goes ahead.
Your turn
Complete the expression meaning formally approve: The client has signed off ___ the revised design.
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on — Formal approval is expressed with sign off on something. To doesn't work in this construction.
Tell a colleague who has to approve a document before the next stage.
We can send the brochure to print once the manager signs off on the layout.
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