Meaning & use
goes off
Last updated
“goes off” is a form of “go off”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Explodes or makes a sudden loud noise, as a bomb or alarm does.
Grammar: No object; the subject is the thing that makes the noise or explodes: The fire alarm goes off at noon.
Patterns
- something goes off
The bomb goes off at exactly 3 p.m.
My alarm goes off at 6 every morning.
The gun goes off by accident.
verbintransitive
Starts to ring or sound, especially a phone or alarm.
Grammar: No object; the subject is the device: Her phone goes off during the meeting.
Patterns
- a phone goes off
- an alarm goes off
His phone goes off in the middle of class.
The smoke detector goes off whenever I cook bacon.
verbintransitive
Leaves a place, especially to go somewhere else.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'to' or 'for': She goes off to work at 8.
Patterns
- goes off to somewhere
- goes off with someone
He goes off to work without saying goodbye.
She goes off with her friends every weekend.
verbintransitiveBritishinformal
Stops liking someone or something; loses interest.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'on' or 'someone': I went off coffee.
Patterns
- goes off someone
- goes off something
She goes off people very quickly.
I used to love that show, but I've gone off it.
verbintransitiveinformal
Becomes angry suddenly; loses control.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'at' or 'on': He goes off at the slightest thing.
Patterns
- goes off at someone
- goes off on one
My boss goes off if you're late.
He goes off on one about politics.
verbintransitiveBritish
Of food or drink, becomes spoiled or too old to eat.
Grammar: No object; the subject is the food: The milk goes off quickly in summer.
Patterns
- something goes off
The milk goes off if you leave it out.
This meat goes off after a few days.
Word forms
| base form | go off |
|---|---|
| past tense | went off |
| past participle | gone off |
| -ing form | going off |
Common combinations
- alarm goes off
- The alarm goes off at 7 a.m.
- goes off to work
- She goes off to work at 8.
- goes off on one
- He goes off on one about the government.
- goes off someone
- I've gone off him lately.
- goes off food
- The fish goes off quickly.
Synonyms and how they differ
- explode
- More formal and specific to bombs; 'go off' is used for alarms and phones too.
- ring
- Used for phones and bells; 'go off' is more informal and can also mean explode.
- leave
- Neutral; 'go off' often suggests going somewhere specific or leaving suddenly.
- spoil
- Used for food; 'go off' is the British informal equivalent.
Opposites
Word family
- go verb
- The base verb meaning to move or travel.
Commonly confused: goes off or go on?
goes off vs go on
Means to continue or happen; 'go off' means to explode or leave.
Practice
What does 'goes off' mean in: 'The alarm goes off at 6 a.m.'?
Choose one answer.
Here 'goes off' means the alarm rings or sounds loudly. It does not mean stops working (that would be 'goes out'), leaves, or becomes angry.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “goes off”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.