Phrasal verb
kiss off
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
kiss off
Past
kissed off
Past participle
kissed off
Definition
phrasal verb. You use this when you rudely tell someone to go away or reject an idea because you are finished with it.
phrasal verb. To dismiss or reject someone or something abruptly and often rudely. The verb is transitive when used with an object, though it frequently appears as a standalone imperative to signal a blunt rejection.
Examples
“He told the rude driver to kiss off.”
“After the company rejected his promotion for the third time, he told them to kiss off and started his own business.”
“The administration's decision to kiss off the environmental concerns of the local community led to a series of high-profile protests and legal challenges.”
Examples
simple
“He told the rude driver to kiss off.”
contextual
“After the company rejected his promotion for the third time, he told them to kiss off and started his own business.”
complex
“The administration's decision to kiss off the environmental concerns of the local community led to a series of high-profile protests and legal challenges.”
Usage
This phrase is highly informal and can be considered rude or aggressive in professional settings.
Teaching tip
Explain that while 'kiss off' is a dismissal, 'kiss something goodbye' means to accept that you have lost something forever.
Pitfall
He kissed off to the job offer.
He kissed off the job offer.
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object without the preposition 'to'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
kiss + off + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
PHRASAL VERB
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
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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