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GO OFF
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (verb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Burst inward
Example:
The bottle imploded
Synonyms:
go off; implode
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "go off" is one way to...):
break; cave in; collapse; fall in; founder; give; give way (break down, literally or metaphorically)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Sense 2
Meaning:
Be discharged or activated
Example:
the explosive devices went off
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "go off" is one way to...):
burst; explode (burst outward, usually with noise)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Sense 3
Meaning:
Happen in a particular manner
Example:
how did your talk go over?
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "go off" is one way to...):
come about; fall out; go on; hap; happen; occur; pass; pass off; take place (come to pass)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s Adjective
Sense 4
Meaning:
Go off or discharge
Example:
The gun fired
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Sense 5
Meaning:
Stop running, functioning, or operating
Example:
Our power went off during the hurricane
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "go off" is one way to...):
halt; stop (come to a halt, stop moving)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Antonym:
go on (start running, functioning, or operating)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
Example:
the accountant absconded with the cash from the safe
Synonyms:
abscond; absquatulate; bolt; decamp; go off; make off; run off
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "go off" is one way to...):
flee; fly; take flight (run away quickly)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "go off"):
levant (run off without paying a debt)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Context examples:
Keep a watchful eye over all that you do at work, for something may go off the rails, and you will be needed to take a hand in making a quick correction.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
He said something about a schooner that's gettin' ready to go off to some outlandish place to look for buried treasure, that he'd sail on her if his money held out.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
But it couldn't have been so very deep, could it, if you could go off to the other end of the world and leave me here alone.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
That Lucy had certainly meant to deceive, to go off with a flourish of malice against him in her message by Thomas, was perfectly clear to Elinor; and Edward himself, now thoroughly enlightened on her character, had no scruple in believing her capable of the utmost meanness of wanton ill-nature.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
To be sure, I had much rather she had stayed in harbour, that I might have sat a few hours with you in comfort; but as there is a boat ashore, I had better go off at once, and there is no help for it.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
After this, Meg had Mr. Scott to dinner by special invitation, and served him up a pleasant feast without a cooked wife for the first course, on which occasion she was so gay and gracious, and made everything go off so charmingly, that Mr. Scott told John he was a lucky fellow, and shook his head over the hardships of bachelorhood all the way home.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Come, I tell you what I propose: first, that we go off now and see that child in the hospital.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
"But no fool dog ought to be fool enough to go off an' commit suicide that way."
(White Fang, by Jack London)
Staffers who report to you might not get along with each other, or a project may go off the rails, so be attentive.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
Well, I was whisperin' it'd be a good idea if you could dig up a gentleman friend—for her (indicating her companion), and then, we could go off an' have ice-cream soda somewhere, or coffee, or anything.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
