piss off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium (Common in informal spoken English but absent from formal contexts)Informal, Vulgar, Slang, Taboo
Quick answer
What does “piss off” mean?
To make someone angry, annoyed, or irritated.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make someone angry, annoyed, or irritated; to go away or leave (often as an impolite command).
A vulgar slang expression indicating departure, dismissal, or strong irritation. In some contexts (chiefly British), 'pissed off' is an adjective meaning extremely annoyed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'pissed' alone means 'drunk', while 'pissed off' means annoyed. In American English, 'pissed' typically means annoyed, so 'pissed off' is emphatic but the distinction is less critical. 'Piss off' as a command is understood in both.
Connotations
Equally strong and offensive in both varieties. Slightly more integrated into general, though still crude, British slang.
Frequency
More frequently used in British English. In American English, alternatives like 'piss someone off' (to anger) are common, while the blunt imperative 'Piss off!' is slightly less frequent than in UK speech.
Grammar
How to Use “piss off” in a Sentence
[Someone] pisses [someone] off (transitive)[Imperative] Piss off! (intransitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “piss off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- His constant humming really pisses me off.
- Just piss off and leave me alone!
American English
- Don't let his comments piss you off.
- She told the telemarketer to piss off.
adverb
British English
- He stared pissedly off into the distance. (Rare/Non-standard)
- She walked off pissedly. (Rare/Non-standard)
American English
- He reacted pissedly to the news. (Rare/Non-standard)
- She sighed pissedly. (Rare/Non-standard)
adjective
British English
- I was absolutely pissed off when the train was cancelled.
- He's still pissed off about yesterday's argument.
American English
- The team was really pissed off after the unfair loss.
- She has every right to be pissed off.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unacceptable in any professional communication.
Academic
Never used in academic writing.
Everyday
Used cautiously among close friends in informal spoken contexts. Highly context-dependent.
Technical
No technical usage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “piss off”
- Using it in formal writing or with superiors. Using 'piss off' as an adjective (incorrect: 'I am piss off'; correct: 'I am pissed off'). Confusing 'piss off' (verb/command) with 'pissed off' (adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered vulgar slang and profanity. It is offensive to many people and inappropriate for formal, polite, or public discourse.
Both are vulgar imperatives meaning 'go away'. 'Bugger off' is more common in British and Commonwealth English, while 'piss off' is understood globally in English-speaking communities. Both are equally offensive.
Only with friends who you know are comfortable with very strong, vulgar language. Even then, it carries significant force and can easily cause genuine offence if misjudged.
The adjective form is always 'pissed off' (e.g., 'I am pissed off'). 'Piss off' is the verb form or command.
To make someone angry, annoyed, or irritated.
Piss off is usually informal, vulgar, slang, taboo in register.
Piss off: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpɪs ˈɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpɪs ˈɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Piss off out of it! (UK, intensive)”
- “Go piss up a rope (US, vulgar dismissal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an angry person being splashed with water (piss) and shouting 'Off!' to make it stop – it 'pisses them off' and they tell you to 'piss off'.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS A PRESSURIZED FLUID (being 'pissed off' implies internal pressure needing release).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'piss off' be LEAST appropriate?