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go off — 5 meanings

One phrase, 5 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb5 meanings
go off
1alarm rings or bomb explodes2food spoils3leave suddenly4lose enthusiasm5react angrily

Meaning 1 · most common

alarm rings or bomb explodes

To make a sudden loud noise, like when an alarm starts ringing or a bomb explodes.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

My alarm went off at 6 a.m., waking me up immediately.

A: What was that noise?
B: Relax, it was just the fire alarm going off.

Common mistake

Not: My alarm rang off this morning.

Say: My alarm went off this morning.

It's 'go off' (not 'ring off'). 'Ring off' means hang up the phone (dated).

More on “alarm rings or bomb explodes”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the exam, someone's phone alarm went off, and it distracted everyone in the room.

Tell it apart

The smoke alarm went off.

  • sounded

The milk has gone off.

  • spoiled

Goes with

  • go off
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Next meaning: food spoils

Meaning 2

food spoils

To become bad or no longer safe to eat because it is old.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The milk has gone off, so don’t drink it.

A: Why does this cheese smell weird?
B: I think it’s gone off. Better throw it away.

Common mistake

Not: The fish is going off bad.

Say: The fish has gone off.

'Go off' already means spoil — don't add 'bad'. (AmE prefers 'go bad'.)

More on “food spoils”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Food can go off quickly in hot weather if it’s not kept in the fridge.

Tell it apart

The yoghurt's gone off.

  • spoiled

The alarm went off.

  • sounded

Goes with

  • go off
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Next meaning: leave suddenly

Meaning 3

leave suddenly

  • informal

To leave a place suddenly, often without telling anyone.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

She went off without saying goodbye to anyone.

A: Where’s Tom?
B: He just went off to get some coffee.

Common mistake

Not: She went off from the party early.

Say: She went off early. / She left the party early.

You don't 'go off from' a place. Use 'go off' alone, or 'go off + to a destination'.

More on “leave suddenly”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Sometimes people go off to study in another country to experience a new culture.

Tell it apart

He went off in a huff.

  • left abruptly

He went off the idea.

  • lost interest

Goes with

  • go off + to/-ing
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Next meaning: lose enthusiasm

Meaning 4

lose enthusiasm

  • go off sth
  • informal

To stop liking, enjoying, or being interested in something or someone that you previously liked.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

After years of drinking tea, I've really gone off it and now prefer coffee.

A: Do you still play tennis every weekend?
B: Not really, I've gone off it lately. I just don't enjoy it as much as I used to.

Common mistake

Not: I went off from coffee recently.

Say: I've gone off coffee recently.

'Go off + thing' directly (no 'from'); it means you used to like it but don't now.

More on “lose enthusiasm”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Some people go off certain hobbies as they get older, preferring to spend their time in different ways.

Tell it apart

I've gone off red wine lately.

  • lost the taste for it

The wine's gone off.

  • spoiled

Goes with

  • go off + thing/person
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Next meaning: react angrily

Meaning 5

react angrily

  • go off sth
  • informal

To suddenly become very angry and start shouting or expressing strong emotion, especially in a public or unexpected way.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC2
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

He really went off at the manager during the meeting when his project was criticised.

A: Did you see Sarah go off at Tom yesterday?
B: Yeah, I’ve never seen her so angry before!

Common mistake

Not: She went off with me for being late.

Say: She went off at me for being late.

'Go off AT someone' (BrE) / 'go off ON someone' (AmE) — not 'with'. ('Go off with' means run away with.)

More on “react angrily”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In high-pressure environments, some people may go off at colleagues, which can damage professional relationships.

Tell it apart

He went off at the waiter.

  • lost his temper

He went off to work.

  • left

Goes with

  • go off + at/on
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alarm rings or bomb explodesfood spoilsleave suddenlylose enthusiasmreact angrily