(Or "offline")

1. Not directly connected to the computer (e.g., an off-line tape drive), or with connection suspended ("take the printer off-line").

Contrast background, on-line.

2. Not now or not here. "Let's take this discussion off-line." Specifically used on usenet to suggest that a discussion be moved off a public newsgroup to e-mail.

See also off-line world.

[jargon file]