go off

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go off

The fire alarm will go off if there is smoke.

Definition
  1. Verb (intransitive):
    • To explode or detonate: To burst or blow apart with sudden violence, typically making a loud noise.
    • To leave a place, especially suddenly or for a particular purpose: To depart from a location.
    • To stop functioning or operating: To cease working, often referring to electrical devices or systems.
    • To happen or proceed in a specified way: To occur or unfold, often used for events.
    • To make a sudden loud noise: To sound abruptly, like an alarm.
    • To deteriorate in quality or condition: To become worse, often used for food.
    • (UK informal) To fall asleep: To go to sleep.
Usage Examples
  • To explode:
    • The bomb was set to go off at noon.
    • Fireworks go off with a bang.
  • To leave:
    • She went off to work without saying goodbye.
    • He went off to explore the city on his own.
  • To stop functioning:
    • The lights went off during the storm.
    • The heating system goes off automatically at night.
  • To happen/proceed:
    • The party went off without any problems.
    • How did your presentation go off?
  • To make a loud noise:
    • My alarm clock goes off at 6 a.m. every day.
    • A gun went off in the distance.
  • To deteriorate (food):
    • The milk has gone off; don't drink it.
    • This meat will go off if it's not refrigerated.
  • To fall asleep (UK):
    • The baby finally went off after much rocking.
    • I went off as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Advanced Usage
  • "to go off on a tangent": To suddenly start talking about a different, often unrelated, subject.
    • The lecturer went off on a tangent about his vacation.
  • "to go off the rails": To start behaving in a strange, uncontrolled, or unacceptable way.
    • After he lost his job, his life really went off the rails.
  • "to go off the deep end": To react in an extremely angry or emotional way; to lose control of one's emotions.
    • When she saw the mess, she completely went off the deep end.
Variants and Related Words
  • Go-off (noun, informal): An explosion or detonation.
    • The go-off was heard for miles.
  • Going off (present participle/gerund):
    • The sirens going off woke the entire neighborhood.
Synonyms
  • Explode: To burst or shatter violently.
  • Depart: To leave, especially to start a journey.
  • Malfunction: To fail to function normally.
  • Occur: To happen; to take place.
  • Spoil/Rot: To decay or become unfit for use (for food).
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Go off with (someone/something): To leave with someone or something, often secretly or unexpectedly.
    • He went off with my umbrella by mistake.
  • Go off on (someone): To criticize or shout at someone angrily.
    • My boss went off on me for being five minutes late.
Related Idioms
  • Go off half-cocked: To act or react hastily without adequate preparation or thought.
    • Don't go off half-cocked; we need a proper plan first.
  • Go off the boil: (UK) To become less intense or active; to lose momentum.
    • Interest in the project has gone off the boil recently.
go off

The fire alarm will go off if there is smoke.

Verb
  1. burst inward
    • The bottle imploded
  2. happen in a particular manner
    • how did your talk go over?
  3. stop running, functioning, or operating
    • Our power went off during the hurricane
  4. go off or discharge
    • The gun fired
  5. be discharged or activated
    • the explosive devices went off
  6. run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
    • The thief made off with our silver
    • the accountant absconded with the cash from the safe