Your Guide to “OTG” over Text, in Gaming & More

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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer Dan Hickey. Dan Hickey is a writer and humorist from Chicago, Illinois. He has published work on various internet satire sites and has been a member of the wikiHow team since 2022. A former teaching artist at a community music school, Dan enjoys helping people learn new skills they never thought they could master. He graduated with a BA in Clarinet Performance from DePauw University in 2015 and a BA from DePaul University in 2017. This article has been fact-checked to ensure the accuracy of all stated facts and the authority of its sources. Find out more…

OTG is a slang acronym on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat that can mean many different things depending on how it’s used. Most of the time OTG means “on the go” or “in game”, but it all depends on who is sending it to you and why. In this article, we’ll show you all the different meanings of OTG in different contexts so you’ll never be caught off guard by this slang term again!

  • OTG means “on the go” or “in the game” in most scenarios. “On the go” means you’re busy, while “in the game” means you’re trying to hook up with someone.
  • In games, OTG also stands for “on the game”. In this case, it means you are busy playing a video game (usually an online multiplayer game).
  • OTG can also mean “off the grid”, “in the field” or “out of the gate”.
  1. Step 1

    In most cases, “otg” is a quick way to say you’re out or busy with something and can’t chat right now. If someone texts you while you’re working, traveling, running errands, or otherwise busy, tell them you’re “replied” and can catch up another time.

    • Them: “Hey! Are you free?”Your: “I’m off and doing some work. Talk to you later?”Them: “Sure no problem!”
    • Them: “What’s up”Your: “Hey! I’m back right now (I’m late for work, ugh)”
  2. Step 2

    “In the game” is a slang way of saying you’re trying to hook up with someone (or planning to later). The term “in the game” originally referred to someone who works as a prostitute or engages in some other illegal activity, but today it is just a casual way of referring to a spicy encounter or flirtation.[1]
    Say you’re “otg” when you’re busy looking for your next physical connection.

    • Them: “Hanging out tonight?”Your: “I can’t, I’ll be back later 😏”Them: “Lol with who!?”
    • Them: “How was the party last night?”Your: “Rubbish! I was up all night but I’m out”
  3. Step 3

    Tired of staring at screens and receiving constant notifications? Go “otg” to escape from modern technology and enjoy some quality time for yourself. Whether you’re going camping or just hanging up, use “otg” to let other people know you won’t be available for a while (or to explain why you didn’t reply to their messages right away).

    • “Can’t wait for our Appalachian Trail hike! It will be so nice to be away for a while”
    • Them: “Are you okay? We haven’t heard from each other in a long time”Your: “Hey! Yes, I’m fine. I’ve been gone for a while, these spam calls are out of control!”
  4. Step 4

    When something is “out of doors”, it means that it has been so from the very beginning or from its initial conception. For example, “He was annoyed out of the gate” means that someone felt annoyed by something from the moment he showed up. In other slang (especially in New Zealand), “out the gate” can also refer to someone who behaves wildly or impulsively, either for fun at a party or because of something like drugs or mental illness.[2]

    • “I’m so glad Mary was able to help, she got down to business!”
    • Them: “You were off last night! 🍺😜 Your: “It explains why my head is throbbing this morning 🤕”
  5. Step 5

    If you’re busy at work or busy with your side hustle or hobbies, send an “otg” to explain why you’re busy. Or use it in your social media photo captions to show your dedication to your passion, like working out or writing a novel.

    • “I have to stay open every day for these winnings! 💪🏋️”
    • Them: “You’ve been so busy lately!”Your: “I know 😩 We’re understaffed at work, so I’m really off these days.”
  1. Step 1

    In the context of gaming, “otg” simply means that you or someone else is busy because they’re engrossed in a fast-paced game and can’t take a break. If you can take your thumbs off the controller and onto your phone, send a short “otg” message to let people know you’ll be down for a while.

    • “Jay can’t come tonight, he’s gone.”
    • Them: “Do you want to go to dinner tonight?”Your: “I can’t, I’ll be away for a few hours.”
  2. Step 2

    In fighting style games, “from the ground” refers to attack maneuvers where the attacker bounces off the ground and bounces into the air after the initial strike (and may attempt a second strike from the air). So, send your teammates a warning to watch out with an “otg” message!

    • “Watch your back, Zelda is OTG!!”
    • “I need to change my characters, I rely too much on those otg moves!”
  3. Step 3

    In multiplayer games, a “guild” is a community of players who share resources, strategy, and community in order to succeed in playing as a team. If you are a “Guild Member”, it means that you are allied with a group of friendly players.

    • Them: “Who is MegaSlayer42?”Your: “They’re cool, they’re cool.”
    • “You have to prove you’re trustworthy if you want to be otg!”
  1. Step 1

    In hockey, an overtime goal is a goal scored after 2 teams have finished the regular season tied.[3]
    Overtime goals are key to winning hockey games and definitely cause for celebration!

    • “Keeping our fingers crossed for an answer 🤞 We can’t lose again!”
    • “THAT OTG WAS AMAZING!!! 😮‍💨”
  2. Step 2

    If you or the person you’re texting is traveling by plane, “otg” may simply mean that the plane is “on the ground” and not currently in the air. Send an “otg” to let people know when you’ve landed or that you haven’t taken off yet.

    • “I’ll call you when I answer. It’s time to fly! ✈️”
    • Them: “How much longer is your delay?”Your: “Uh, I’m not sure. We are still the answer.”
  3. Step 3 USB OTG (On-The-Go) adapter

    This adapter, also called an OTG cable, has a normal USB port on one end and a micro-USB or USB-C port on the other end. This way, you can plug one end into your phone or tablet and use the USB side to connect another device, turning your mobile device into the system’s “computer”.

  4. Step 4 Big Omeretta

    In rap music, OTG may refer to Omeretta The Great, a rap artist, model and actress who was featured on the TV show Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta. OTG left the show earlier than expected to focus more on her music career.

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