Phrasal verb
cool off
Meanings
To become less hot; to decrease in temperature.
To become calmer after being angry, upset, or overly excited.
To make something or someone less hot, or to help someone calm down.
Definition
To cool off means to become less hot or to calm down after being upset or excited.
Cool off is used when something becomes less warm, such as a room, a drink, or your body after exercise. It is also used when a person becomes calmer after feeling angry, stressed, or overly excited. In everyday conversation, it often suggests taking a short break so emotions or temperature can return to normal.
Examples
- Let the soup cool off before you taste it.
- I needed a walk to cool off after the meeting.
- She opened the window to cool off the room.
- They sat quietly for a few minutes to cool off.
- You should cool off before you reply to that message.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse cool off (become less hot or calmer) with cool down, which is more common for exercise routines, though both can overlap in meaning.
More intransitive phrasal verbs
- wake up To stop sleeping and become awake.
- slow down To slow down means to reduce speed or activity and move or happen less quickly.
- blow up To blow up means to suddenly explode or to become suddenly very angry.
- calm down To calm down means to become less upset, angry, or excited.
- slow up To slow up means to become slower or to make someone or something go more slowly.