Meaning trap
come off
give impression
To appear or seem to have a particular quality, attitude, or emotion, especially in the way you are perceived by others.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To appear or seem to have a particular quality, attitude, or emotion, especially in the way you are perceived by others.
'come off' also has the more basic meaning 'succeed'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
He can sometimes come off as arrogant, but he's actually very kind once you get to know him.
In interviews, candidates should be careful not to come off as overconfident, as this can negatively affect the interviewer's perception.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: She comes off arrogant.
Say: She comes off as arrogant.
You need 'as' + adjective — 'come off AS arrogant'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Come off as' is the natural way to describe the impression someone gives; the formal paraphrase is bookish. (AmE-leaning; BrE often 'come across as'.)
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
come off as
- as rude
- as arrogant
- as genuine
- badly
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- come off (succeed) — 'come off' also has the more basic meaning 'succeed'; this is the advanced sense.