led <off> to jail

[WilliamTaft]

An example sentence using "lead" in The Britannica Dictionary: The prisoner was led off to jail [=was taken to jail] in handcuffs.

What does "off" mean in this sentence?

 

[Tarheel]

It means nothing by itself. The relevant phrase is "led off".

 

[WilliamTaft]

It means nothing by itself. The relevant phrase is "led off".

Thank you, Tarheel.
What does "led off" mean in this sentence? What's the difference if I omit "off?"

 

[Tarheel]

I thought you understood the sentence. He was taken to jail in handcuffs.

If you use only "led" it makes it it seem like they are guiding him, which is not the case. Anyhow, the context would make it clear what is really happening. Therefore, there should be no confusion.