to go off on one
1
9.9
- phrasal verb
- UK
:
enfadarse
- She really went off on one during the meeting, passionately defending her ideas.
Examples
-
When he gets upset, he tends to go off on one about his frustrations at work.
-
I am sorry for going off on one and way off the topic of this documentary, but it is linked, and after all, it's just information.
Blog text (11) -
Please don't go off on one.
-
-In fact, you're severely distressed and have just gone off on one, so I'm glad that we bumped into each other.
-
If you mention politics, he will likely go off on one for hours without stopping.
Synonyms
187
3.5
To suddenly show a strong feeling, often anger
123
4.2
To suddenly start in a strong or violent way, often showing strong feeling
71
5.6
Suddenly say angry things about someone by speaking or writing
70
4.8
To speak loudly and angrily for a long time
22
7.5
Suddenly become very angry
20
4.2
Become angry or excited during a discussion
18
4.4
To show sudden strong anger or upset, often like a child
16
4.7
To suddenly become very angry and lose control
16
5.3
To suddenly become very angry or upset and show it strongly
12
6.1
To suddenly become very angry or upset in a loud, obvious way
11
6.8
To suddenly become very angry
9
7.0
To say your opinion or complain loudly and openly
8
8.1
To lose control because you are very excited or angry
7
5.3
To suddenly get very angry without warning
4
6.7
To suddenly become very angry
4
8.2
To become suddenly very angry and lose control
3
6.8
To suddenly get very angry
2
3.7
To suddenly become very angry and not be able to control yourself
2
8.6
Suddenly get very angry and show it
2
8.3
To become extremely angry and shout or act violently
2
9.9
To become very angry and act in a wild, out of control way
1
8.1
To suddenly say something angry without warning
1
7.4
To suddenly become very angry
1
7.5
To speak angrily and strongly to criticize someone
To suddenly become very angry
A sudden very angry reaction that people show loudly or violently
To suddenly become very angry or upset without control
To become suddenly very angry and upset in a dramatic way
To suddenly become very angry and behave in a mean way
Antonyms
How Angry
Surface Forms
Morphology
There is a partial clue in 'go' (to become) and the particle 'off' (sudden change or eruption), but the sequence 'on one' is colloquial and not compositionally predictable. The overall sense 'suddenly become very angry / rant' is idiomatic and especially British, so a B1 learner who knows the individual words would likely not reliably infer the full meaning without prior exposure.
Etymology
The phrase go off on one paints a picture of someone suddenly go off like a loud alarm and then start on one long angry or excited speech. So, the phrase means 'to suddenly become very angry or speak passionately'.