Put Off – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever postponed a dentist appointment? Or scrolled past a food photo that looked unappetizing? In English, both situations use the phrase put off. This versatile phrasal verb has two main meanings: (1) to delay or postpone something, and (2) to make someone feel dislike or disgust. Context tells you which meaning fits.
What Does “Put Off” Mean?
“Put off” has two common uses:
1. To delay or postpone an action or event: “Don’t put off your homework until midnight.”
2. To cause someone to dislike or avoid something: “The smell really put me off my lunch.”
Think of it like pushing a task into the future… or stepping back from something unpleasant. Both meanings involve a sense of avoidance—but one is about time, the other about reaction.
When to Use It
Use “put off” in everyday or expressive conversations:
• For procrastination or rescheduling: “They put off the meeting by a week.”
• When something is unappealing: “His rude tone put me off the whole idea.”
It’s neutral and common in speaking, writing, and media. Avoid it in formal reports unless describing delays or reactions naturally.
Example Sentences
- I keep putting off cleaning my closet—it’s a huge job.
- The high price put her off buying the dress.
- Don’t let one bad review put you off trying the restaurant.
- He put off calling his parents until it was too late.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Why didn’t you apply for the job?”
Jamie: “I put it off for weeks—and now the deadline passed.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t confuse “put off” with “put out” (which means to extinguish or inconvenience) or “postpone” (which only covers the delay meaning). Also, when “put off” means “repel,” it’s usually followed by a person and then the thing: “It put me off the idea.”
❌ Don’t say: “I put off the lights.” (Use “turned off.”)
✅ Do say: “I put off my dentist appointment.”
✅ Do say: “The messy kitchen put me off cooking.”
Practice Tip
Next time you delay a task or feel repelled by something, say: “I’m putting off my chores” or “That movie trailer put me off.” Using the phrase in real moments of avoidance builds accurate, natural fluency.
Final Note
Now you can use “put off” to talk about procrastination or aversion—with clarity and confidence. It’s a phrase full of everyday truth, used by native speakers when they delay or dislike. Keep listening for it in chats, news, and honest confessions. You’re not just learning English—you’re learning how people avoid what they’d rather not face. Keep going—you’ve got this!