sb. [f. vbl. phr. to come off: see COME v. 61.]
1. A coming off the field of action; a finish-up, a conclusion; an issue.
1634. Shirley, Opportunity, I. ii. This was Indifferently well carried! I was jealous Of a more lame come-off.
1690. Norris, Beatitudes (1694), I. 235. The Hopes of a safe come off at last.
1716. M. Davies, Athen. Brit., II. 12. In order to a Politic come-off, he brought the matter to the Council-Table.
2. A conclusion of an argument, discourse, etc.
1641. Milton, Animadv., ii. Wks. (1847), 60/2. A quick come-off.
1661. R. L’Estrange, Relaps’d Apostate. For a Come-off; All things must be done with singleness of heart.
a. 1734. North, Exam., 644. It would make one Grin to observe the Author’s Come-off from this and the rest of the Charters in this Time.
3. The coming off or performance of anything planned.
1857. Costello, Millionaire Mincing L., 60 (Hoppe). That don’t look like a come-off.
4. A ‘getting off’ a duty, etc.; an evasion, excuse for non-performance.
1849. C. S. Bird, Mariolatry, 46. They pray to them as a come-off.
1858. Hogg, Life Shelley, II. 543. It was a come off, but it would not do.
1870. Emerson, Soc. of Solit., Dom. Life, Wks. (Bohn), III. 47. To give money to a sufferer is only a come-off.
