Go Off – Meaning and Examples

Alarms sound, food spoils, and events proceed as planned—all these situations use the same English phrase. We say alarms go off, milk can go off, and plans go off successfully. This common idiom has multiple meanings in daily life.

What Does “Go Off” Mean?

“Go off” has several different meanings. It can mean to explode or make a sudden loud noise. It can mean food or drink becomes spoiled. It can also mean to happen or proceed as planned. Think of it like a fire alarm sounding, milk turning sour, or an event proceeding successfully.

When to Use It

Use this idiom when talking about alarms, bells, or alerts sounding. Use it when discussing expired food or drinks. Use it when describing how events or plans proceeded. It is a neutral phrase that works in various everyday situations.

Example Sentences

The fire alarm went off in the middle of the night.
This milk has gone off—it smells terrible.
The wedding went off without any problems.
My phone alarm goes off at 7 AM every morning.

Mini Dialogue

Maria: “Why is everyone leaving the building?”

David: “The fire alarm went off. We have to evacuate immediately.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Remember, the meaning changes completely with context. Be careful to use the appropriate meaning for your situation.

❌ Don’t say: “I need to go off to work now.” (Use “go to” instead).
✅ Do say: “The bomb squad safely made the device go off in a controlled area.”

Practice Tip

Set an alarm on your phone for 5 minutes from now. When it sounds, say “My alarm just went off.” This connects the most common meaning of the idiom to a real experience.

Final Note

You now understand the different meanings of “go off” for alarms, food spoiling, and events happening. This versatile phrase will help you describe various everyday situations accurately. Pay close attention to context, and you’ll use this idiom correctly in your conversations!

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