The phrase "glance off" is spelled with a silent "e" in "glance" and the "oa" vowel digraph in "off". The IPA phonetic transcription for "glance off" is /ɡlæns ɒf/. The first vowel sound is pronounced as a short "a" sound, similar to "cat". The "n" and "c" consonants are pronounced separately, followed by a pronounced "o" sound in "off" and a quiet "f" sound at the end. "Glance off" describes what happens when an object bounces or slides off of another surface.
The phrase "glance off" is a verb phrase that is commonly used to describe the action of an object or projectile being deflected or bouncing off another surface upon impact. Specifically, it refers to the incident when an object strikes a surface but does not penetrate or make a direct, forceful impact, rather it skims or deflects off in a different direction.
When an object glances off a surface, it implies a tangential collision where the object's trajectory is altered due to the impact. This often occurs when there is a glancing blow or a lack of direct force exerted upon hitting the surface. For instance, a bullet may glance off a wall if it hits at an angle, causing it to ricochet rather than penetrate.
This phrase is commonly employed both literally and figuratively. In literal scenarios, it can refer to physical objects like balls, projectiles, or vehicles that skim off surfaces instead of striking with full impact. Figuratively, "glancing off" can describe the way someone diverts or avoids addressing a particular matter or topic during a conversation, veering away from it without engaging deeply.
Overall, "glance off" is a term used to denote the action of an object or projectile bouncing off a surface at an angle, implying a deflection or a redirection of its path.
The word "glance off" is a phrasal verb formed by combining the word "glance" with the preposition "off".
The verb "glance" originated from the Middle English word "glansen", which came from the Old High German word "glanzōn", meaning "to gleam" or "to flash". Over time, its meaning expanded to include the quick movement of the eyes or gaze, as well as the idea of bouncing off something at an angle.
The preposition "off" has Old English roots and denotes the direction away from something or someone.
When these two words are combined, "glance off" refers to the act of striking or hitting something at an angle and then bouncing or deflecting away from it.