1 B1 idiomatic informal
To avoid doing work or to waste time when you should be productive.
"He spent the whole morning goofing off on social media instead of finishing his report."
goof off
B1 informal intransitive
To avoid working or waste time when you are supposed to be doing something productive.
In plain English
To do nothing and avoid your work when you should be busy.
What does "goof off" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Primarily American English. Implies deliberately avoiding responsibility or wasting time. The tone is often mildly critical but not strongly negative. Common in workplace and school contexts.
Words that pair with "goof off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
work school internet all day instead of boss
How to conjugate "goof off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
goof off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
goofs off
he/she/it
Past simple
goofed off
yesterday
Past participle
goofed off
have + pp
-ing form
goofing off
continuous
Hear "goof off" in the wild
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Other ways to say "goof off"
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