Phrasal verb
go off
Definition
phrasal verb. to explode, make a loud noise, or stop being fresh. You use this when an alarm rings, a bomb explodes, or milk turns sour.
phrasal verb. to discharge or detonate; to emit a loud signal; or to undergo spoilage. This phrasal verb is intransitive in these senses and covers several distinct semantic fields including weaponry, electronics, and food safety.
Examples
“My alarm went off at six this morning.”
“The milk has gone off because someone left it out on the counter overnight.”
“Security forces evacuated the building immediately after the fire alarm went off, fearing that a suspicious package might also go off.”
Examples
simple
“My alarm went off at six this morning.”
contextual
“The milk has gone off because someone left it out on the counter overnight.”
complex
“Security forces evacuated the building immediately after the fire alarm went off, fearing that a suspicious package might also go off.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “go off” in context.
Noun
01. alarm go off
“I was in a deep sleep when my morning alarm went off at six o'clock.”
noun + verb
02. bomb go off
“The police evacuated the area just minutes before the bomb went off.”
noun + verb
03. milk go off
“You should smell the carton to see if the milk has gone off in this heat.”
noun + verb
Adverb
04. accidentally go off
“The security guard's weapon accidentally went off while he was cleaning it.”
adv + verb
05. loudly go off
“Her phone loudly went off in the middle of the quiet cinema.”
adv + verb
06. suddenly go off
“The fire alarm suddenly went off, causing everyone in the office to panic.”
adv + verb
Usage
used without a direct object; the subject is usually an alarm, a bomb, or food.
Teaching tip
this is a highly polysemous phrasal verb; use a matching game to help students distinguish between the 'noise' sense and the 'spoiled food' sense.
Pitfall
The bomb was gone off.
The bomb went off.
this phrasal verb is intransitive and cannot be used in the passive voice.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
go + off
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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