tee off
B2informal (figurative use); neutral (golf context)
Definition
Meaning
to hit a golf ball from a tee to begin play on a hole; figuratively, to start something, especially in an energetic or angry way
In golf: to begin a hole by driving the ball from a tee. In general usage: to start or commence, often with intensity; to make angry or irritate someone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrase has a clear literal origin in golf. Its figurative meanings branch into (1) beginning something vigorously and (2) causing someone to become angry or start complaining. The 'anger' sense is particularly common in American English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The literal golf meaning is identical. The figurative sense 'to make angry' is more frequent and established in American English. British English may use it more for the 'start' sense or in direct golf metaphors.
Connotations
In AmE, 'tee off on someone/something' strongly connotes a verbal attack or angry rant. In BrE, it can simply mean 'to start', though the angry sense is understood.
Frequency
Higher frequency in AmE for the 'anger/attack' meaning. The golf term is equally common in both varieties where the sport is played.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[sb] tees off[sb] tees off on [sb/sth][sth] tees [sb] offtee off at [time]tee off against [sb/sth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tee off on someone”
- “be teed off (adjective form meaning 'angry')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The CEO teed off on the new regulatory report during the meeting.'
Academic
Rare, except in descriptive writing about sport or behaviour.
Everyday
Common in informal speech: 'Don't get him started on politics, or he'll tee off for an hour.' / 'We tee off at sunrise for our round.'
Technical
Primarily in golf commentary and instructions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The tournament will tee off at the first hole.
- He teed off on a long rant about the state of the railways.
- What time do we tee off tomorrow?
American English
- She really teed off on her opponent during the debate.
- We tee off at 7:30 AM sharp.
- The new policy teed off a lot of parents.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We will tee off early in the morning.
- The players tee off one by one.
- The loud noise from the construction site really teed him off.
- The conference will tee off with a keynote speech.
- The journalist teed off on the government's handling of the crisis in her column.
- His rude comment was enough to tee off the entire team.
- The controversial proposal teed off a protracted and bitter dispute among the stakeholders.
- Having spent the morning being thoroughly teed off by bureaucratic delays, he was in no mood for compromise.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a golfer TEEing OFF angrily, hitting the ball hard because he's annoyed. The strong start connects to both the sport and the emotion.
Conceptual Metaphor
STARTING AN ACTIVITY IS STARTING A GAME OF GOLF; EXPRESSING ANGER IS HITTING A GOLF BALL HARD.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not related to tea ('чай').
- The adjective form 'teed off' means angry, not simply 'started'.
- Avoid direct translation; the golf metaphor may not carry over.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tee off' to mean just 'finish' or 'meet'.
- Confusing 'tee off' (verb) with 'tee-off' (noun, meaning the start).
- Using the 'anger' sense in overly formal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In American informal English, what does 'She was really teed off' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, especially in American English, it is commonly used figuratively to mean 'to start angrily criticising' or simply 'to start vigorously'.
Yes, in informal American English, 'teed off' functions as an adjective meaning 'angry' or 'annoyed' (e.g., 'I was really teed off by his remark').
Both can mean 'to start'. 'Kick off' comes from football/soccer and is more general. 'Tee off' comes from golf and often carries a stronger connotation of a forceful, angry, or energetic start, especially in its figurative use.
It means to verbally attack or criticise someone energetically. Example: 'During the meeting, he teed off on the sales department for missing their targets.'