3

As you know, the phrasal verb to go off has different meanings, depending on the context. I am particularly interested in whether it is okay to use it with this meaning:

to begin to dislike somebody or something.

For example:

  1. I went off men after my husband left me.

  2. I went off the idea of buying a sports car after I found out how much it would cost.

Improve this question
13
  • 1
    I don`t understand the reason for down-voting my question. The vast majority of the members of this English language community are non-native speakers, trying to master their English language skills by asking questions here and receiving clear -cut answers. If you are not intelligent enough or unable to answer the question, just move on. Nobody wants your negativity here.
    – Beqa
    Apr 15, 2018 at 14:17
  • 1
    The answer is yes, you have used it correctly for the meaning you have provided. (Just a minor point which may interest you: if you add "on" to it, to go off on [someone], it means to get angry with the person and shout at him/her.
    – Lambie
    Apr 15, 2018 at 14:36
  • 1
    @Lambie Thanks for tour reply. I just wanted to know, whether how often do native speakers use this phrasal verb in the context given in my headline comment ?
    – Beqa
    Apr 15, 2018 at 14:44
  • 1
    It is very common in BrE. It isn't really an AmE idiom.
    – Lambie
    Apr 15, 2018 at 14:53
  • 1
    @EdwinAshworth There are thousands of questions which are not suitable for this web-site here. Do I have to down-vote all of them now ? Whom this web-site was created for in the first place ? English language professionals or English language learners ? By the way, I dont think that my question was somehow basic. For us, non-native learners of English, its essential to know what`s the meaning of an idiom or phrasal verb, it is used in everyday speech or not, it is outdated it not, etc. We all are here to broaden our intellectual horizons and help each other to grow.
    – Beqa
    Apr 15, 2018 at 17:34

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

As an idiom, it appears it would be alright to use in your context because "to go off" can mean "to sour or spoil". But given the wide range of meanings that could be inferred from "go off", it might not be commonly used.

https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/go+sour

https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/go+off

Improve this answer
1

Yes this is one of the meanings of the phrasal verb. Your second example is even mentioned as an example by Macmillan Dictionary.

They give the following definition (among many others):

[go off someone/something] BRITISH to stop liking someone or something

Attribution: "Go Off - definition and Synonyms." Go off (phrasal Verb) Definition and Synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary. Accessed April 15, 2018. https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/go-off#go-off__5.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .