What does the phrasal verb “go off” mean?

What are the definitions of “go off”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Explode ( bomb ), start ringing ( alarm ).

  The fire alarm WENT OFF because someone was smoking in the toilets.

• 2. Go bad.

  The milk WENT OFF because I forgot to put it in the fridge.

• 3. Start to dislike.

  I WENT OFF her when she lied to me.

• 4. Leave a place.

  Please don't GO OFF until we have sorted this out.

• 5. Take place, follow a plan or pattern.

  The party WENT OFF well.

• 6. Stop working ( electric / electronic equipment ).

  The lights GO OFF automatically when the office is empty.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “go off”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb go off is to explode or start ringing, especially in the context of alarms or bombs. For example, a fire alarm can go off if there is smoke, or a bomb can go off if it is triggered.

What are the different verb forms of “go off”?

Root Verb	go off
Third Person Singular Present	goes off
Present Participle	going off
Simple Past	went off
Past Participle	gone off

Example

The fire alarm will go off if there is smoke.

Example

The bomb goes off at the end of the movie.

Example

The alarm is going off because of the fire.

Example

The alarm went off in the middle of the night.

Example

The milk has gone off because it was left out of the fridge.

What kind of phrasal verb is “go off”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Intransitive verb

“go off” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.

Example

The alarm went off at 6 a.m.

Example

The bomb went off in the city center.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“go off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

The alarm went off at 6 a.m.

Example

The bomb went off in the city center.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “go off”?

Go off the rails

To start behaving in a way that is not socially acceptable or is not what people normally expect.

Example

He went off the rails after losing his job.

Go off on a tangent

To start talking about something that is only slightly or indirectly related to the original subject.

Example

During the meeting, he went off on a tangent about his vacation.

Go off half-cocked

To do something without being fully prepared or without thinking about it enough.

Example

She went off half-cocked and made a lot of mistakes in the report.

Good things to know

Does “go off” have an informal or formal tone?

Go off is a neutral phrasal verb. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the level of formality can depend on the context. For example, in a formal report about an incident, you might say 'The alarm went off at 6 a.m.', but in a casual conversation about a party, you might say 'The party went off without a hitch.'

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “go off”?

Synonyms

• ring
• depart
• occur
• explode
• sour
• stop working

Antonyms

• arrive
• stay
• begin
• start
• work
• improve