Commonly confused
Put on vs Put off
“Put on” and “Put off” look alike but pull in different directions. Here is what each one means, with examples — and the difference that learners most often miss.
The key difference
Put off means delay or postpone. Put on means clothe oneself.
put on
- 1
Dress yourself in clothing
“Put on your coat before going out.”
- 2
Host or stage an event
“They put on a wonderful show.”
- 3
Gain weight
“She put on five kilos over winter.”
put off
- 1
Delay or postpone
“Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
- 2
Discourage or repel
“The smell put me off my food.”
- 3
Postpone to another time
“We had to put off the meeting.”
Stop mixing them up
Sink In turns confusable pairs like this into quick contrast drills, so the right particle becomes automatic.