go off on

go off on (one)

To become very angry and hostile toward one, often unexpectedly. The boss just came into my office and went off on me for no apparent reason. I'm afraid I went off on the kids a little when I came home. I just couldn't handle all the screaming. Don't go off on the customer service rep, OK? This bogus company policy isn't her fault.

See also: go, off, on

go off on (something)

To begin some lengthy, fervent, or animated speech. Tom started going off on a tangent about his time in Peru. Sorry for going off on a rant like that. It's just an issue that I care about deeply. He's a retired English professor, so he can go off on everything from Boethius to the Beats!

See also: go, off, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

go off on someone

Sl. to berate someone. Don't go off on me! I'm not the cause of your problems! The teacher went off on poor little Harry.

See also: go, off, on

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.