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go off — 5 meanings

One phrase, 5 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb5 meanings
  1. 1 alarm rings or bomb explodesTo make a sudden loud noise, like when an alarm starts ringing or a bomb explodes.
  2. 2 food spoilsTo become bad or no longer safe to eat because it is old.
  3. 3 leave suddenlyTo leave a place suddenly, often without telling anyone.
  4. 4 lose enthusiasmTo stop liking, enjoying, or being interested in something or someone that you previously liked.
  5. 5 react angrilyTo suddenly become very angry and start shouting or expressing strong emotion, especially in a public or unexpected way.
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All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

1

alarm rings or bomb explodes

B1go offMost common

To make a sudden loud noise, like when an alarm starts ringing or a bomb explodes.

My alarm went off at 6 a.m., waking me up immediately.

A: What was that noise?
B: Relax, it was just the fire alarm going off.

During the exam, someone's phone alarm went off, and it distracted everyone in the room.

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).

Tell it apart

The smoke alarm went off.

sounded

The milk has gone off.

spoiled
Use 'go off' for things that make a loud noise suddenly, like alarms, sirens, or bombs.Not used for people leaving; see other senses.

Often paired with

go off
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2

food spoils

B1go off

To become bad or no longer safe to eat because it is old.

The milk has gone off, so don’t drink it.

A: Why does this cheese smell weird?
B: I think it’s gone off. Better throw it away.

Food can go off quickly in hot weather if it’s not kept in the fridge.

Common mistake

✗The fish is going off bad.

✓The fish has gone off.

'Go off' already means spoil — don't add 'bad'. (AmE prefers 'go bad'.)

Tell it apart

The yoghurt's gone off.

spoiled

The alarm went off.

sounded
Use 'go off' to talk about food or drinks that are no longer fresh.Not about noise or people leaving.

Often paired with

go off
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3

leave suddenly

B2go offspokeninformal

To leave a place suddenly, often without telling anyone.

She went off without saying goodbye to anyone.

A: Where’s Tom?
B: He just went off to get some coffee.

Sometimes people go off to study in another country to experience a new culture.

Common mistake

✗She went off from the party early.

✓She went off early. / She left the party early.

You don't 'go off from' a place. Use 'go off' alone, or 'go off + to a destination'.

Tell it apart

He went off in a huff.

left abruptly

He went off the idea.

lost interest
Use 'go off' when someone leaves quickly, sometimes to do something specific.Not about noise or food.

Often paired with

go off + to/-ing
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4

lose enthusiasm

C1go off sthspokeninformal

To stop liking, enjoying, or being interested in something or someone that you previously liked.

After years of drinking tea, I've really gone off it and now prefer coffee.

A: Do you still play tennis every weekend?
B: Not really, I've gone off it lately. I just don't enjoy it as much as I used to.

Some people go off certain hobbies as they get older, preferring to spend their time in different ways.

Common mistake

✗I went off from coffee recently.

✓I've gone off coffee recently.

'Go off + thing' directly (no 'from'); it means you used to like it but don't now.

Tell it apart

I've gone off red wine lately.

lost the taste for it

The wine's gone off.

spoiled
'Go off' in this sense is informal but widely used in both spoken and written English to talk about losing interest or enthusiasm for something. It is not used for physical objects breaking or stopping.This sense is figurative and refers to a change in feelings or preferences, not to food spoiling or alarms/bombs making a noise.

Often paired with

go off + thing/person
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5

react angrily

C2go off sthspokeninformal

To suddenly become very angry and start shouting or expressing strong emotion, especially in a public or unexpected way.

He really went off at the manager during the meeting when his project was criticised.

A: Did you see Sarah go off at Tom yesterday?
B: Yeah, I’ve never seen her so angry before!

In high-pressure environments, some people may go off at colleagues, which can damage professional relationships.

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.)

Tell it apart

He went off at the waiter.

lost his temper

He went off to work.

left
This sense is informal and mainly used in spoken English. It often describes someone losing control of their emotions, especially anger, and is not suitable for formal contexts.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.

Often paired with

go off + at/on
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alarm rings or bomb explodesfood spoilsleave suddenlylose enthusiasmreact angrily