go off — react angrily
phrasal verbC2IELTS 8+informaloccasional
To suddenly become very angry and start shouting or expressing strong emotion, especially in a public or unexpected way.
Say it like a native
Textbook He suddenly expressed his anger very forcefully.
Native He totally went off at me.
'Go off (at someone)' vividly means erupt in anger. The formal version is bloodless. (AmE: 'go off on'.)
Pattern: go off (at/on someone/about something)
In use
- He really went off at the manager during the meeting when his project was criticised.emotions
- In high-pressure environments, some people may go off at colleagues, which can damage professional relationships.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ She went off with me for being late.
✓ She went off at me for being late.
'Go off AT someone' (BrE) / 'go off ON someone' (AmE) — not 'with'. ('Go off with' means run away with.)
Common collocations
go off + at/on— at me, on him, at the staff, completely
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B2 sense of 'leave suddenly', here 'go off' means to react emotionally, not physically leave. It is also different from the sense of an alarm or bomb making a noise.
Related
- go off (alarm rings or bomb explodes) — 'go off' also has the more basic meaning 'alarm rings or bomb explodes'; this is the advanced sense.