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."
inseparable
go off
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To make a sudden loud noise, to stop liking something, to explode, or for food to become rotten.
In plain English
An alarm rings, food goes bad, something explodes, or you stop liking something.
What does "go off" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
For food or drink to become rotten or unfit to eat.
"Don't drink that milk — it's gone off."
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral
To explode or be fired (of a weapon, bomb, or firework).
"A firework went off unexpectedly near the crowd."
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."
inseparable
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "go off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
alarm gun bomb milk meat someone plan
How to conjugate "go off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "go off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "go off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "go off"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
explode lose interest in ring sour spoil trigger
Keep exploring
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