go off

verb

went off; gone off; going off; goes off
Synonyms of go offnext

intransitive verb

1
: explode
2
: to burst forth or break out suddenly or noisily
3
: to go forth, out, or away : leave
4
: to undergo decline or deterioration
5
: to follow the expected or desired course : proceed
the party went off well
6
: to make a characteristic noise : sound
could hear the alarm going off
Phrases
go off the deep end
1
: to enter recklessly on a course
2
: to become very much excited

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of go off in a Sentence

specialists were able to deactivate the bomb before it went off the wedding went off without so much as a single glitch
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Alarms reportedly went off in buildings across the Thai capital city when the earthquake hit around 1:30 p.m., according to the Associated Press. — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025 However, in a series of unfortunate events, the gun allegedly went off and hit the 23-year-old instead. — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Meredith, who has her hand on a bomb (inside a patient) can't move, otherwise the bomb could go off. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025 In November, Jones went off for 28 points vs. Maryland on 10-for 18 FG shooting (3-for-5 from outside). — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for go off

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of go off was in 1579

Rhymes for go off

See All Rhymes for go off

Browse Nearby Words

goofer dust
go off
go off at half cock
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Go off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20off. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

go off

verb
1
: explode sense 2b
2
: to burst forth or break out suddenly or noisily
3
: to take place : proceed
the dance went off as planned

More from Merriam-Webster on go off

Nglish: Translation of go off for Spanish Speakers

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