Phrasal verb
get off on
Definition
phrasal verb. to enjoy something very much, especially in a way that other people might find strange or wrong.
phrasal verb. to derive intense pleasure or excitement from a specific activity or stimulus; often carries a connotation of power, control, or sexual gratification.
Examples
“He really gets off on telling people what to do.”
“Some people get off on the adrenaline rush of extreme sports, while others prefer quiet hobbies.”
“The antagonist seemed to get off on the psychological manipulation of his victims, finding a twisted sense of satisfaction in their confusion.”
Examples
simple
“He really gets off on telling people what to do.”
contextual
“Some people get off on the adrenaline rush of extreme sports, while others prefer quiet hobbies.”
complex
“The antagonist seemed to get off on the psychological manipulation of his victims, finding a twisted sense of satisfaction in their confusion.”
Usage
highly informal and often implies the pleasure is slightly inappropriate or obsessive.
Teaching tip
advise students to use this carefully as it can have sexual overtones; in a general sense, it highlights a person's ego or a 'power trip'.
Pitfall
She gets off on to win.
She gets off on winning.
the phrase must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
get + off + on + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/get-off-on