go off
HighInformal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To leave a place, or to explode/sound suddenly.
To cease functioning or become rotten; to happen or proceed in a specified way; to lose interest in or enthusiasm for someone/something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A multi-word verb with numerous distinct senses, ranging from literal (leave, explode) to figurative (deteriorate, proceed). Context is crucial for disambiguation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK uses 'go off' more commonly for food spoiling and for liking/enthusiasm ('I've gone off him'). US uses it more frequently for alarms sounding. The 'explode' sense is shared.
Connotations
In UK, 'go off' can imply sudden loss of affection. In both, it implies suddenness or failure.
Frequency
Overall more frequent in UK English across a wider range of senses.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + go off (+ [Prepositional Phrase])[Subject] + go off + [Noun Phrase] (e.g., 'The idea went off without a hitch')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go off the deep end”
- “go off on a tangent”
- “go off the rails”
- “go off half-cocked”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; possible in 'The deal went off smoothly' or 'The fire alarm went off during the presentation.'
Academic
Limited to literal senses (e.g., 'The device went off at noon').
Everyday
Very common for alarms, food spoilage, leaving, and events.
Technical
Used in explosives, electrical engineering (circuits 'going off'), and food science.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The milk has gone off in this heat.
- She went off to university last autumn.
- He's completely gone off the idea of moving.
American English
- The fire alarm went off at 3 AM.
- He went off to find a manager.
- The party went off without a hitch.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The alarm clock went off at seven o'clock.
- I go off to school at eight.
- The lights went off.
- The bomb went off in the central square.
- She went off to her room without saying goodbye.
- This yoghurt smells funny; I think it's gone off.
- The demonstration went off peacefully despite earlier fears.
- I've really gone off reality TV shows lately.
- The script was good, but the final scene just went off the rails.
- His presentation went off flawlessly, impressing the entire board.
- After the scandal, many voters went off the candidate.
- The experiment went off as predicted, validating the hypothesis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an alarm clock GOing OFF your bedside table because you have to LEAVE.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEPARTURE IS MOVEMENT AWAY; SUDDEN ACTIVITY IS ERUPTION; SPOILING IS A JOURNEY INTO BADNESS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводится как 'выходить' в смысле 'выходить из дома' (use 'go out').
- Смысл 'надоесть/разонравиться' ('I've gone off coffee') часто упускается.
- Не означает просто 'исчезать' (use 'go away').
Common Mistakes
- *'The lights went off the room.' (Correct: 'The lights went off *in* the room' or 'went out').
- Confusing 'go off' (explode/sound) with 'go off of' (non-standard for 'base on').
- Using for planned departure: *'I go off at 8 am' (Correct: 'I leave at 8 am').
Practice
Quiz
In British English, 'The milk has gone off' primarily means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'go off' is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'go it off'.
'Go off' suggests the light is turned off (by a timer, switch, or fault). 'Go out' suggests the light ceases to produce light (e.g., a candle burning out, a bulb blowing).
Yes, informally. 'He went off on me' means he launched into a sudden angry rant.
Rarely. It's mostly neutral (leave, happen) or negative (explode, spoil, lose interest). 'The event went off well' is a positive usage meaning it proceeded successfully.