Phrasal verb
put off
Meanings
To delay doing something or delay an event until later.
To make someone feel annoyed, uncomfortable, or less interested.
Definition
To put off something is to delay it until a later time.
To put off means to postpone an activity, event, or decision. People often put things off because they are busy, unsure, or not ready. It can also mean to make someone feel less interested or comfortable.
Examples
- I put off cleaning the kitchen until tomorrow.
- You can’t keep putting off your appointment forever.
- He put off the meeting because his train was delayed.
- She was put off by the loud music in the cafe.
- They put off making a decision until they had more information.
Common mistake
Learners often forget that after "put off" you can use a noun or an -ing form (e.g., "put off going"), not an infinitive (not "put off to go").
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.