ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cool off

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to become less hot after being very warm, or to become calm after being angry.

phr. v.. to experience a reduction in temperature or emotional intensity; can be used literally for physical heat or figuratively for anger and excitement.


SIMPLE

Let's wait for the soup to cool off before eating.

CONTEXTUAL

After their big argument, he went for a long walk to cool off and clear his head.

COMPLEX

The central bank implemented new policies to help the economy cool off after a period of dangerously rapid growth and high inflation.

Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
cool + off (+ object)
Usage

often used without an object when referring to a person's mood or the weather.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'cool down', which is almost identical but more common for physical exercise; 'cool off' often implies a return to a comfortable state from an uncomfortably hot one.

Pitfall

He needs to cool off his head.He needs to cool off.when used for emotions, it is usually intransitive and does not take an object like 'head' or 'anger'.

© 2026 English Reference