go off — alarm rings or bomb explodes
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To make a sudden loud noise, like when an alarm starts ringing or a bomb explodes.
Say it like a native
Textbook The alarm activated at six o'clock.
Native My alarm went off at six.
For an alarm sounding or a bomb exploding, natives say 'go off'. 'Activated' is technical.
Pattern: go off (no object)
In use
- My alarm went off at 6 a.m., waking me up immediately.daily life
- During the exam, someone's phone alarm went off, and it distracted everyone in the room.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ My alarm rang off this morning.
✓ My alarm went off this morning.
It's 'go off' (not 'ring off'). 'Ring off' means hang up the phone (dated).
Common collocations
go off— the alarm, the fire alarm, a bomb, the gun
Don't confuse it
Not used for people leaving; see other senses.
Related
- go off (food spoils) — Another meaning of 'go off' is 'food spoils'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.