Phrasal verb
cool off
Definitions
01to become less hot
B1 · Intermediate
phr.v. to become colder or less hot after being in the sun or exercising.
phr.v. to undergo a reduction in temperature. Intransitive or transitive use.
日本語:涼む※
“We went for a swim in the lake to cool off after our long hike.”
“The engineers had to wait for the turbine to cool off completely before they could safely perform the necessary maintenance.”
Usage
Can be used without an object ('the soup is cooling off') or with one ('the rain cooled the city off').
Antonyms
02to become calm
B1 · Intermediate
phr.v. to stop feeling angry or excited after a stressful situation.
phr.v. to regain emotional composure or reduce the intensity of one's temper.
日本語:治まる※
“Give him a few minutes to cool off before you try to talk to him again.”
“The manager suggested that both employees take a short break to cool off before continuing the mediation session.”
Teaching tip
This is a very common and safe idiom to use in both professional and personal contexts.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to lose interest
B2 · Upper Intermediate
phr.v. to stop being excited about an idea, a plan, or a person.
phr.v. to experience a decline in enthusiasm or interest, often followed by the preposition 'on'.
日本語:冷める※
“I was excited about the trip at first, but I've cooled off on the idea lately.”
“Investors have cooled off on the tech sector recently, preferring to put their capital into more stable, traditional industries.”
Usage
Usually takes the preposition 'on' when followed by an object.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cool off” in context.
Verb
01. go for a swim and cool off
“It was a boiling hot day, so we decided to go for a swim and cool off in the lake.”
verb + and + verb
02. need to cool off
“You are both very angry right now; I think you need to cool off before you keep talking.”
verb + infinitive
03. wait to cool off
“The soup is still boiling, so let's wait to cool off for a few minutes.”
verb + infinitive
Noun
04. chance to cool off
“He went for a walk to give himself a chance to cool off after the argument.”
noun + infinitive
05. time to cool off
“I'm going to stay in the shade for a while because I need some time to cool off.”
noun + infinitive
Adverb
06. finally cool off
“After the long heatwave, the weather has finally cooled off this morning.”
adv + verb
07. quickly cool off
“The desert air quickly cooled off as soon as the sun went down.”
adv + verb
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.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
cool + off (+ object)
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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/cool-off
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0