off-mike

[ awf-mahyk, of- ]

adjective

1. located at a distance from or not projected directly into a microphone:

   off-mike sound effects.

Word History and Origins

Origin of off-mike¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

You’re never off-mike — you can’t turn your head and say some little comment to somebody.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the off-mike action, on the air that final morning, Ryder said the mass firing “was a surprise to all of us.”

From Los Angeles Times

“It was those comments, the off-mike things, that made Phil so funny,” Ossman said.

From Washington Post

Holiday, like all great artists, is as distinctive, as idiosyncratic, as original off-stage and off-mike as on.

From The New Yorker

“We just did!” muttered one off-mike Republican.

From Slate