1 B2 idiomatic informal
To go away or leave a place (often abruptly).
"After the argument, he just buggered off without saying goodbye."
inseparable
bugger off
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To go away, or used as a rude command telling someone to leave (British vulgar).
In plain English
To leave, or to tell someone rudely to leave you alone.
What does "bugger off" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
Used as a rude imperative to tell someone to go away.
"She told the persistent salesman to bugger off."
inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic informal
Used as an exclamation of surprise or disbelief.
"'They offered you the job?' 'Bugger off — seriously?'"
inseparable
Usage tip
Chiefly British and Australian. Can be used reflexively ('I told him to bugger off') or as a blunt imperative. Also used to express disbelief ('Bugger off — really?!'). Vulgar; avoid in formal situations.
Words that pair with "bugger off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
told just quickly completely home
How to conjugate "bugger off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bugger off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
buggers off
he/she/it
Past simple
buggered off
yesterday
Past participle
buggered off
have + pp
-ing form
buggering off
continuous
Hear "bugger off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bugger off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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