What Does “Go off sb” Mean?
“Go off sb” means to stop liking someone or to become less interested in them. It is often used to describe a change in feelings toward a person.
Introduction
The phrase “go off sb” is a common informal phrasal verb in English. It expresses a change in emotions, usually when someone loses interest or affection for another person. Understanding “go off sb meaning” helps learners speak more naturally about relationships and feelings. You can use it to talk about friendships, romantic relationships, or even simple likes and dislikes. This phrase is useful because it shows how feelings can change unexpectedly. Knowing how to use “go off sb” correctly will improve your conversational skills and help you sound more like a native speaker.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: go off sb (go off somebody)
- Type: phrasal verb (intransitive)
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to stop liking someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Go off sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning the verb and the object cannot be separated by other words. The structure is:
- go off + somebody
Example: She went off him after their argument.
Note: You cannot say “go him off” or place any words between “go” and “off.”
How to Use “Go off sb”?
Use “go off sb” when you want to express that you or someone else stopped liking someone. It often refers to romantic feelings but can also apply to friendships or general interest. It is usually used in the past tense (went off) or present perfect (have gone off) to describe a change that has already happened.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “go off sb in a sentence”:
- After spending so much time together, I think I’ve gone off him.
- She went off her boyfriend when she found out he lied.
- He used to be my best friend, but I’ve gone off him recently.
- Many people go off celebrities when they learn more about their real personalities.
- She went off her favorite band after they changed their style.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “go off sb” with other phrasal verbs or use the wrong word order. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: I went him off after our fight.
- Correct: I went off him after our fight.
- Incorrect: She goes off on him.
- Correct: She goes off him.
Remember, “go off sb” is inseparable and does not use prepositions like “on” after it.
Differences / Synonyms
“Go off sb” is similar to phrases like “lose interest in sb” or “fall out with sb,” but there are differences:
- Go off sb: Lose liking or affection.
- Fall out with sb: Have an argument or break a friendship.
- Lose interest in sb: Stop feeling curious or attracted.
For example, you can “go off” someone without having a fight, just because your feelings changed. But “fall out with” means you had a disagreement.
Common Collocations
Some common words used with “go off sb” include:
- Go off your boyfriend/girlfriend: stop liking your romantic partner
- Go off a friend: lose affection for a friend
- Go off someone’s personality: stop liking how they behave
- Go off a celebrity: lose admiration for a famous person
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of go off sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “go off sb”:
Anna: Have you noticed Tom seems different lately?
Ben: Yeah, I think I’ve gone off him a bit. He’s not the same friend anymore.
Anna: Me too. Maybe he’s just changed.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “go off sb”:
- I _______ my best friend after we stopped seeing each other.
- She has _______ her favorite singer because of their new music style.
- They _______ each other after the argument last week.
FAQs
- Q: Can “go off sb” be used in the present tense?
A: Yes, but it is more common to use past or present perfect to show the change happened.
- Q: Is “go off sb” formal or informal?
A: It is informal and mostly used in spoken English.
- Q: Can “go off sb” mean to lose interest in a hobby?
A: Usually, it refers to people, but it can sometimes be used for things or hobbies.
- Q: What is the difference between “go off sb” and “fall out with sb”?
A: “Go off sb” means lose liking; “fall out with sb” means have an argument.
- Q: Can I say “go off on sb”?
A: No, “go off on sb” has a different meaning (to get angry at someone).
