The phrase "hew off" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /hjuː ɒf/. The initial sound, /h/, is produced by exhaling air while blocking the airflow with the vocal cords. The next sound, /j/, is a glide that moves the articulators from the position for /h/ to /uː/. The vowel sound /uː/ is produced by rounding the lips and elevating the tongue. The final sound, /ɒf/, is a bilabial plosive that is formed by releasing air while both lips are closed.
"Hew off" is a phrasal verb meaning to cut or chop away forcefully and usually with effort. It involves severing or removing a particular part of something, often using a sharp tool or weapon. The term "hew" is derived from Old English and refers to the action of cutting or shaping with a heavy tool such as an axe.
When used in a literal sense, "hew off" typically implies the act of chopping off a specific portion of an object or material. This could include trimming branches from a tree, hacking away at excess stone or wood in construction, or amputating a body part in medical or horrific circumstances. The force and effort involved in the action are key components of this definition.
However, "hew off" can also be used metaphorically to describe the intentional removal or separation of something, such as severing ties with a person or institution, cutting off communication, or terminating a relationship. This figurative interpretation shares the underlying sense of forcefulness and effort required to separate or detach oneself from the entity in question.
Overall, "hew off" describes a strong and decisive action involving the cutting or chopping away of a specific part, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense.
The word "hew" comes from the Old English word "hēawan", which means "to strike, cut, or fell". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "hawwanan" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*kewk-" meaning "to strike" or "to hew". The addition of "off" creates the phrasal verb "hew off", which means to cut or chop something forcefully or completely remove it by cutting. The etymology of "hew off" is a combination of the Old English word "hēawan" and the preposition "off".