Phrasal verb
buzz off
Definition
phrasal verb. You use this to tell someone to go away because they are annoying you. It is a rude but not very aggressive way to say 'leave me alone'.
phrasal verb. An intransitive phrasal verb used as an imperative to dismiss someone or tell them to leave. Informal in register; often used to express annoyance or impatience.
Examples
“Buzz off and let me finish my work!”
“When the younger brother kept asking questions, his sister told him to buzz off so she could study in peace.”
“Although the reporter was persistent, the celebrity's bodyguard curtly told him to buzz off before the situation escalated further.”
Examples
simple
“Buzz off and let me finish my work!”
contextual
“When the younger brother kept asking questions, his sister told him to buzz off so she could study in peace.”
complex
“Although the reporter was persistent, the celebrity's bodyguard curtly told him to buzz off before the situation escalated further.”
Usage
Usually used as a command to tell someone to leave immediately.
Teaching tip
Compare with 'go away' and 'get lost'; 'buzz off' is informal and dismissive but slightly less harsh than 'get lost'.
Pitfall
I told him to buzz off from the room.
I told him to buzz off.
The verb is intransitive and does not take a prepositional phrase like 'from the room' to indicate the place being left.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
buzz + off
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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