# piss off

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/piss-off
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to make someone very angry or annoyed. You can also use it as a rude way to tell someone to leave.

For teachers: To annoy or irritate someone intensely; the transitive form is often separable. It also serves as a dismissive imperative meaning 'go away', which is typically intransitive.

## Examples

- It really pisses me off when people cut in line.
- He was being so aggressive that I finally told him to piss off and walked away.
- The administration's refusal to address the safety concerns has started to piss off the local residents.

## Pitfalls

- Not "It pisses off me." but "It pisses me off." — When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- This phrase is vulgar and can be offensive, so avoid using it in professional or formal settings.
- Teaching tip: Explain that while 'pissed' means 'drunk' in British English, 'pissed off' universally means 'annoyed' across major dialects.

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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.