English Meaning & Definitions
To explode, fire, or discharge suddenly.
- “The alarm clock went off at six in the morning.”
- “The bomb went off in a deserted area, causing no injuries.”
To become spoiled or unfit to eat or drink.
- “The milk has gone off; it smells quite sour.”
- “Make sure to refrigerate the meat so it doesn't go off.”
To suddenly become angry or start talking at length in an aggressive or passionate manner.
- “He really went off on me when I told him I had lost his keys.”
- “She went off about the unfairness of the new company policy.”
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “go off”.
The phrasal verb 'go off' combines the Old English 'gan' (to move or proceed) with the adverbial 'off' (originally a variant of 'of'), indicating a departure or a sudden release of energy. Historically, it evolved from the sense of 'going away' to describe the sudden discharge of a firearm or explosive, and later expanded into figurative meanings regarding food spoilage or sudden emotional outbursts.
Imagine a firework 'going off' by suddenly shooting 'off' into the sky.
Frequently Asked Questions About “go off”
1. What is the meaning of “go off” in English?
In English, go off (verb) is defined as: “To explode, fire, or discharge suddenly.”.
2. How do you use “go off” in a sentence?
“The alarm clock went off at six in the morning.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “go off”?
The phrasal verb 'go off' combines the Old English 'gan' (to move or proceed) with the adverbial 'off' (originally a variant of 'of'), indicating a departure or a sudden release of energy. Historically, it evolved from the sense of 'going away' to describe the sudden discharge of a firearm or explosive, and later expanded into figurative meanings regarding food spoilage or sudden emotional outbursts.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.