go off
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle off
Meanings
Stop working or be cut
Why “off”? An active connection, session, machine, light, or device stops.
“The lights went off in the storm.”
“The fridge went off during the outage.”
Start making a loud warning sound
Why “off”? Words, feelings, impressions, light, heat, or smells leave a source and reach others.
“Maya's alarm went off at six on a weekday morning.”
“The smoke alarm went off while we were cooking.”
Become unsafe or unpleasant to eat or drink
In American English, go bad is more usual.
Why “off”? Something is delayed, interrupted, reduced, or brought to an end.
“The milk has gone off, so do not drink it.”
“Fresh fish goes off quickly in hot weather.”
Don't confuse with
Go off means stop working or be cut. Go on means continue happening or doing something.
Test yourself
“The lights went off in the storm.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
go on
A contrast learners often mix up
Continue happening or doing something; Happen or take place; Talk for a long time, often in a tedious way; Use information as the basis for an opinion; Begin to operate
back off
Same off pattern: stopping
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
bite off
Same off pattern: release
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Accept more work or responsibility than you can manage ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
blow off
Same off pattern: stopping
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
break off
Same off pattern: stopping
Suddenly end a relationship, discussion, activity, or official contact; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; Take a short pause from an activity
buy off
Same off pattern: stopping
Bribe someone to stop opposing you
call off
Same off pattern: stopping
Cancel a planned event
check off
Same off pattern: stopping
Mark items on a list as done or counted
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