Meaning
- To postpone or delay something to happen later than planned.
- To discourage someone into not wanting to do something.
- To make someone lose focus or concentration.
Today's Sentences
01
You’ve been putting it off for weeks!
Situation
So, are you finally coming to the gym with me?
Maybe tomorrow.
You’ve been putting it off for weeks!
Hey, the thought of sore muscles is overwhelming.
02
The service really put me off.
Situation
How was the new restaurant downtown?
Honestly, the service really put me off.
That bad?
Yeah the food was fine, but the rude waiter totally put me off going back.
Writer's Note
"Put off" is a transitive, inseparable, and separable phrasal verb.
- Transitive - A phrasal verb that needs an object to complete its meaning.
Structure: "Subject + put off + object"
Example 1: The bad reviews really put off potential customers.
Example 2: The strong smell of garlic put off some guests at the party.
Example 3: His constant complaining put off the whole team. - Inseparable - When an object is not placed between the particle and the verb.
Structure: "Subject + put off + object"
Example 1: The flashing lights put off the speaker during his presentation.
Example 2: He was put off his game by the loud crowd.
Example 3: Her sudden laughter put off the actor on stage. - Separable - When an object stands between the particle put and the verb off.
Structure: "Subject + put + object + off"
Example 1: The noise put me off my work.
Example 2: Her constant questions put the teacher off the lesson.
Example 3: The smell of the medicine put her off taking it.
Related words: Deter, discourage, dissuade, distract, delay, defer, disturb, hinder, postpone, procrastinate, repel
