Phrasal verb
goof off
Definition
phr.v. to spend time doing nothing useful or playing around when you should be working.
phr.v. to engage in idle or frivolous activity to avoid work or responsibility. The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Examples
“Stop goofing off and finish your homework.”
“The manager caught the employees goofing off in the break room instead of stocking the shelves.”
“While the rest of the department scrambled to meet the deadline, he spent the afternoon goofing off on social media.”
Examples
simple
“Stop goofing off and finish your homework.”
contextual
“The manager caught the employees goofing off in the break room instead of stocking the shelves.”
complex
“While the rest of the department scrambled to meet the deadline, he spent the afternoon goofing off on social media.”
Usage
This is an intransitive phrasal verb; it cannot be separated and does not take an object.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'mess around' (similar) or 'procrastinate' (more formal/serious); note that 'goof off' implies a playful or silly lack of focus.
While originally American, this is now understood globally. It is very informal and should be avoided in professional emails or academic writing.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
goof + off
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/goof-off