Go off

2 meanings · select one to explore
Choose a Meaning
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Meaning 1 of 3
Definition

To become angry or start shouting suddenly (informal)

Example sentence
He goes off whenever someone criticizs his work.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
Clip 1
⏱ Timestamp
Open on YouTube
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Clip 2
⏱ Timestamp
Open on YouTube
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Clip 3
⏱ Timestamp
Open on YouTube
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.

Common pattern: go off on + someone

go off on someone

went off on his coworker

goes off for no reason

don't go off on me

goes off at the smallest thing

Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.

She goes off on people for no reason sometimes. ✅ (Correct)

She goes on people for no reason sometimes off. ❌ (Incorrect — inseparable, always stays together)

Meaning 1 of 3
Definition

To stop working, or to turn off (lights, power, devices)

Example sentence
The streetlights go off automatically at dawn.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
Clip 1
⏱ Timestamp
Open on YouTube
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Clip 2
⏱ Timestamp
Open on YouTube
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Clip 3
⏱ Timestamp
Open on YouTube
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.

Common pattern: go off (electricity/device as subject)

the power went off

lights go off at night

the heating goes off

went off during the storm

go off automatically

Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.

The power goes off during every storm. ✅ (Correct)

The power goes during every storm off. ❌ (Incorrect — inseparable, always stays together)

Meaning 1 of 3
Definition

To explode or make a loud sound

Example sentence
The alarm goes off every morning at 6am.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
Clip 1
⏱ Timestamp
Open on YouTube
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Clip 2
⏱ Timestamp
Open on YouTube
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Clip 3
⏱ Timestamp
Open on YouTube
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.

Common pattern: go off (often + time/trigger)

go off at 6 AM

went off unexpectedly

go off in the middle of the night

the bomb went off

go off without warning

Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.

The fireworks go off right at midnight. ✅ (Correct)

The fireworks go right at midnight off. ❌ (Incorrect — inseparable, always stays together)