SWEAR OFF • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Swear off

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/swɛr ɔf/ Listen

verb

Swear v. i. (past swore, formerly sware; past part. sworn; pres. part. swearing)

To affirm or utter a solemn declaration, with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed; to make a promise, threat, or resolve on oath; also, to affirm solemnly by some sacred object, or one regarded as sacred, as the Bible, the Koran, etc. "Ye shall swear by my name falsely." "I swear by all the Roman gods."

(Law) To give evidence on oath; as, to swear to the truth of a statement; he swore against the prisoner.

To make an appeal to God in an irreverant manner; to use the name of God or sacred things profanely; to call upon God in imprecation; to curse. "(I) swore little; diced not above seven times a week."

To swear by, to place great confidence in a person or thing; to trust implicitly as an authority. "I simply meant to ask if you are one of those who swear by Lord Verulam."

To swear off, to make a solemn vow, or a serious resolution, to abstain from something; as, to swear off smoking. (Slang)

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Etymology of 'Swear off'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Swear off" Quotes from Famous Books

... better to swear off it altogether," asserted Leslie. "You would be glad, afterwards, that you had done so. You are an excellent seaman; and I shall be more than glad to help you to perfect yourself in navigation, if you will allow me, so that there should be nothing to stand in ...

— Dick Leslie's Luck - A Story of Shipwreck and Adventure • Harry Collingwood

... screech f'um de ol' barn lof'; "You drinked yo' dram sence you done swear off; En you gwine de way Whar' de sinners stay, En Satan gwine ter roas' you at de ...

— The Wit and Humor of America, Volume X (of X) • Various