# get off on

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/get-off-on
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to enjoy something very much, especially in a way that other people might find strange or wrong.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "She gets off on to win." but "She gets off on winning." — the phrase must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.

## Usage notes

- 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'.

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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.