go off

verb

went off; gone off; going off; goes off

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

• blow
• blow up
• burst
• crump
• detonate
• explode
• pop

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

After a dramatic period of going off the grid to search her soul, Camille decides to pursue a relationship with Sofia (who moves from Athens to Paris for her) while preparing for co-parenthood with Gabriel. —Cady Lang, TIME, 15 Aug. 2024

Despite going off the air almost 20 years ago, the beloved political drama makes a great rewatch — especially during an election cycle. —Marina Watts, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2024

Some of the siblings are too busy with their own problems to pay much attention when Ben goes off on his own in search of a mysterious woman named Jennifer (Victoria Sawal). —Christian Holub, EW.com, 10 Aug. 2024

The system's software malfunctioned, causing 75-year-old Morris to lose control of the three-wheel motorcycle and go off the highway. —Rick Barrett, Journal Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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