1 B2 idiomatic informal
To annoy or irritate someone.
"It really cheeses me off when people don't return phone calls."
separable
cheese off
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To annoy or irritate someone; to feel annoyed or fed up.
In plain English
To make someone feel annoyed, or to feel annoyed yourself.
What does "cheese off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To feel fed up, irritated, or dissatisfied (usually in the passive: 'cheesed off').
"She was thoroughly cheesed off after waiting two hours for a train that was cancelled."
inseparable
Usage tip
Primarily British English. Often used in the passive form 'cheesed off' (meaning fed up or annoyed). The active form ('this really cheeses me off') is slightly less frequent than the passive. Mild in tone — acceptable in polite company.
Words that pair with "cheese off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
attitude behaviour delays rudeness waiting situation
How to conjugate "cheese off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cheese off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cheeses off
he/she/it
Past simple
cheesed off
yesterday
Past participle
cheesed off
have + pp
-ing form
cheesing off
continuous
Hear "cheese off" in the wild
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