Browse all

sound off

B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To talk loudly and strongly about your opinions, especially when you're annoyed or want people to hear you.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To voice your opinions loudly and forcefully, often at length and sometimes irritatingly.

"My uncle is always sounding off about the government at family dinners."

Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 neutral

In military contexts, to count off or announce yourself loudly in sequence.

"The sergeant ordered the recruits to sound off with their names and numbers."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Often implies that the speaker is being self-important, aggressive, or tedious, though it can also be neutral. Common in American English. Can be followed by 'about' ('sounding off about politics').

Commonly used with

about politics opinions complaints online publicly

Forms

Base
sound off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sounds off
he/she/it
Past simple
sounded off
yesterday
Past participle
sounded off
have + pp
-ing form
sounding off
continuous

Understand "sound off" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

mouth off hold forth speak out rant air your views sound your horn

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "sound off" on Looplines