- sign off
- sign off1. Lit. [for a broadcaster] to announce the end of programming for the day; [for an amateur radio operator] to announce the end of a transmission. •
Wally signed off and turned the transmitter off.
•Channel 43 failed to sign off at the scheduled time last night.
2. Fig. to quit doing what one has been doing and leave, go to bed, quit trying to do something, etc. •I have to sign off and get to bed. See you all.
•When you finally sign off tonight, please turn out all the lights.
* * *{v.} 1. To end a program on radio or television. * /That TV newscaster always signs off by saluting./ 2. To stop broadcasting for the day. * /That TV station always signs off after the late movie./
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.