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put off — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings
put off
postponediscourage or repel

Meaning 1 · most common

postpone

  • put off sth

to delay doing something until a later time.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I had to put off my dentist appointment because I was too busy.

A: Did you finish your assignment?
B: No, I put it off until tomorrow.

Common mistake

Not: Don't put off to do your homework.

Say: Don't put off doing your homework.

'Put off' + -ing, not a to-infinitive. With a pronoun: 'put it off'.

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

Another example

If I have a lot of tasks, I sometimes put off the less important ones to focus on urgent work.

Tell it apart

I keep putting off the dentist.

  • postponing

The smell put me off my food.

  • made me lose interest/appetite

Goes with

  • put off + task
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Next meaning: discourage or repel

Meaning 2

discourage or repel

  • put off sth

to make someone not want to do something, or to lose interest in it.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The smell of smoke really put me off eating in that restaurant.

A: Are you going to join the gym?
B: I was, but the high fees put me off.

Common mistake

Not: The long queue put off me.

Say: The long queue put me off.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'put me off'.

More on “discourage or repel”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Some people are put off by the idea of public speaking because they feel nervous in front of an audience.

Tell it apart

The smell put me off my dinner.

  • made me lose interest/appetite

We put off dinner until 9.

  • postponed it

Goes with

  • put + someone + off
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postponediscourage or repel