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Meaning trap

get off

derive pleasure

To experience strong enjoyment, excitement, or satisfaction from something, often used informally and sometimes with a mildly sexual or taboo connotation.

phrasal verbC2rare

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

derive pleasure

To experience strong enjoyment, excitement, or satisfaction from something, often used informally and sometimes with a mildly sexual or taboo connotation.

get off (leave a bus, train, plane, etc.)

'get off' also has the more basic meaning 'leave a bus, train, plane, etc.'; this is the advanced sense.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Some people really get off on taking risks, even when there's a lot at stake.emotion
  • While some individuals get off on the thrill of extreme sports, others prefer more conventional hobbies for relaxation.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: get off on [something]

WrongShe gets off with bossing people around.

RightShe gets off on bossing people around.

For getting a thrill from something, it's 'get off ON' — 'get off with' is a different (BrE) sense.

Patternget off on [something]

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff He appears to derive considerable satisfaction from criticising others.

Natural He gets off on putting people down.

'Get off on' is the slangy phrase for getting a kick out of something (often disapproving); the formal version is detached.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • get off on + thing
    on poweron iton the attentionon winning

Don't confuse it

Unlike the B-level senses (leaving transport, finishing work, or avoiding punishment), this sense is figurative and focuses on deriving pleasure or excitement, not physical movement or legal outcomes.

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