Browse all

bug off

B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

Go away and stop bothering me.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

Used as a rude or impatient command telling someone to go away.

"She was trying to study and finally snapped, telling her little brother to bug off."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To leave or go away (used non-imperatively).

"Once the meeting got awkward, he bugged off as quickly as he could."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Chiefly North American. Less vulgar than 'bugger off' but still rude. Often used as an imperative. The verb 'bug' here means to annoy or bother, and 'off' signals dismissal.

Commonly used with

told just immediately please

Forms

Base
bug off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bugs off
he/she/it
Past simple
buged off
yesterday
Past participle
buged off
have + pp
-ing form
buging off
continuous

Understand "bug off" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "bug off" on Looplines