bear off from (someone or something)

1. To carry or transport someone or something away from someone or something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "bear" and "off." We sat teary eyed on the platform as the train bore our only son off from us. A team of laborers began bearing pieces of debris off from the wreckage. We watched in horror as the paramedics bore the unconscious patient off from the ambulance bay.

2. nautical To steer the boat in the direction away from something else. The helmsman began shouting for the crew to bear off from the wind in order to gain a burst of speed. We bore off from the pier and moved out into open water. You'd be better off to bear off from these waves, I reckon.

3. nautical To steer the boat away from some obstruction or other hazard. Be sure to bear off from those rocks. The last thing we need now is a breach in the hull. I need to bear off from the sun—I can't see a thing! I recognize that flag—those guys are sinister, and we should bear off from their boat at once.

4. nautical To move away from something else. The steamer bore off from the island, leaving several people stranded. Help! Help! That boat was bearing off from the coast, and then it just exploded into flames! We waved goodbye to our parents as our ship bore off from the docks.

5. In backgammon, to clear a checker from a particular position on the board. You can't bear off from the three-point yet because there are still checkers on the four-point. A: "Can I bear off from the five-point now?" B: "I'm not sure—remind me what you rolled again." Is it all right for me to bear off from point six to point one? I'm still very much a backgammon novice!