To make a firm, often emotional decision to stop doing or consuming something permanently.
To promise yourself you will never do something again.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To solemnly promise to stop doing, eating, or engaging with something, usually after a negative experience.
"After getting terrible food poisoning, she swore off sushi for the rest of her life."
I've sworn off relationships for the time being.
— Commonly attributed to various celebrity interviews; widely used as a stock phrase in entertainment journalism.
To humorously or dramatically declare you will avoid something after an unpleasant event, not necessarily a lifelong vow.
"He swore off early morning meetings after the last one ran three hours over schedule."
To use sworn words to push something away from your life — i.e., to formally declare you are done with it.
To promise yourself you will never do something again.
Often used after a bad experience with something, with a slightly dramatic or humorous tone. More common in American English. Frequently used with food, drink, relationships, and activities.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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