kiss off
C1Informal, Slang
Definition
Meaning
To dismiss, reject, or get rid of someone or something, often in a rude, abrupt, or final manner.
Can also mean to depart or leave, sometimes implying a sarcastic or dismissive goodbye. In noun form ('a kiss-off'), it refers to a blunt dismissal or rejection.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly implies finality and a lack of concern for the feelings of the dismissed party. Often carries a tone of disrespect or annoyance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is considered more characteristically American slang. British English might prefer 'give someone the brush-off' or 'tell someone to sod off' in similar contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it is informal and can be vulgar. The American usage is more established in pop culture (film, music).
Frequency
More frequent in American English. Less common in formal British discourse but understood.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] kiss off [Object (Person/Thing)][Subject] give [Indirect Object] the kiss-offVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “give someone the kiss-off”
- “get the kiss-off”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare and highly informal. Might be used narratively to describe a brutal firing: 'The new CEO kissed off half the department.'
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in personal conflicts, breakups, or when expressing frustration: 'I told my noisy neighbour to just kiss off.'
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The manager finally kissed off the unreliable supplier after the third delay.
- He told the aggressive paparazzo to just kiss off.
American English
- The coach kissed off the player for missing practice.
- I had to kiss off that idea when I saw the budget.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- After the argument, she basically told him to kiss off.
- The company gave him the kiss-off without any severance pay.
- The investor kissed off the proposal as being wholly unworkable.
- His latest novel is a savage kiss-off to the literary establishment that once praised him.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone blowing a sarcastic kiss as they rudely slam a door in your face. The 'kiss' is insincere, and they want you to 'off' (go away).
Conceptual Metaphor
REJECTION IS A SARCASTIC GESTURE OF AFFECTION (The action is framed as a perversion of a loving act to emphasise its insincerity and hostility).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'поцелуй прочь' – this is nonsense.
- Avoid confusing with 'kiss' (целовать) which has positive connotations. This phrase is negative.
- The closest conceptual equivalent might be 'послать подальше' or 'дать отставку' (in dismissal contexts).
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it to mean a gentle or polite farewell.
- Incorrect transitivity: 'She kissed off' (needs an object in most cases).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'kiss off' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is informal and often deliberately rude or disrespectful, indicating anger or finality.
Yes, 'a kiss-off' or 'the kiss-off' refers to the act of dismissal itself, e.g., 'Getting the kiss-off from that job was a blessing.'
'Kiss off' is more abrupt, dismissive, and often one-sided, focusing on rejection. 'Break up with' can be mutual or more nuanced, relating specifically to romantic relationships.
No, they are very different. 'Kick off' means to start (a project, a game) or, informally, to become very angry. 'Kiss off' is solely about dismissal or telling someone to go away.