# come off

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/come-off
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to become detached

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to become separated or fall away from something it was attached to.

For teachers: to become detached or separated from a main body or surface.

- The handle of the cup came off while I was washing it.
- The label had started to peel at the corners and eventually came off entirely after being exposed to the damp air in the warehouse.

Usage: Intransitive; the subject is the part that detaches.

### 2. to succeed

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · British English

to happen successfully, especially when you have planned something.

For teachers: to be successful or to be achieved as intended; often used of schemes, plans, or performances.

- I was worried about the surprise party, but it really came off well.
- Despite the logistical hurdles and the last-minute cancellations, the ambitious charity gala came off without a single major hitch.

Usage: Intransitive; usually follows a subject like 'plan', 'scheme', or 'event'.

### 3. to seem or appear

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to give a particular impression of your personality to other people.

For teachers: to project a specific personal quality or to be perceived by others in a particular way.

- He can come off as a bit arrogant, but he is actually just shy.
- In interviews, the candidate tended to come off as overly defensive whenever the panel questioned her previous employment record.

Usage: Usually followed by 'as' plus an adjective or noun phrase.

### 4. to stop using something

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to stop taking a medicine or using a drug.

For teachers: to cease the consumption of a medication, drug, or habit-forming substance.

- The doctor helped him come off the painkillers gradually.
- Patients are advised not to come off their antidepressants abruptly without consulting a healthcare professional first.

Usage: Transitive; requires a direct object representing the substance.

## Examples

- The surprise party didn't come off because he found out.
- Despite the lack of rehearsal time, the play came off without any major mistakes.
- The bold merger, which many analysts predicted would fail, actually came off quite smoothly due to careful planning.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: contrast with 'succeed' (more general) and 'happen' (neutral); 'come off' specifically implies that a planned effort worked out.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.