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go off

B1 neutral inseparable both
In simple words

An alarm rings, food goes bad, something explodes, or you stop liking something.

Meanings

1 A2 idiomatic neutral

For an alarm, bell, or signal to make a sudden loud noise.

"My alarm went off at six o'clock and I jumped out of bed."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

For food or drink to become rotten or unfit to eat.

"Don't drink that milk — it's gone off."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral

To explode or be fired (of a weapon, bomb, or firework).

"A firework went off unexpectedly near the crowd."

Grammar: inseparable
4 B2 idiomatic informal

(British English) to stop liking or enjoying something or someone.

"I used to love sushi, but I've gone off it recently."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

One of the most important and versatile phrasal verbs in English. The 'stop liking' sense (I've gone off coffee) is characteristically British. The alarm and explosion senses are universal. Food going off is standard British English. All senses are high frequency.

Commonly used with

alarm gun bomb milk meat someone plan

Forms

Base
go off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
goes off
he/she/it
Past simple
went off
yesterday
Past participle
gone off
have + pp
-ing form
going off
continuous

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Synonyms

explode spoil ring trigger sour lose interest in

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