be put off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be put off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to postponing or delaying something or when describing how someone is feeling after being disappointed or discouraged. For example, "The event had to be put off due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

be put off.

The New Yorker

(And don't be put off).

The New York Times

Structural reforms will be put off again.

The Economist

The upstart would not be put off.

The New York Times

It can't be put off.

Harvard Business Review

So, don't be put off.

The Guardian

Don't be put off by the name.

Independent

"Don't be put off by commuting.

The Guardian - Money

But please do not be put off.

The Guardian - Books

Critics began to be put off.

The New Yorker

Duke wasn't to be put off.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the phrase in the passive voice when the actor responsible for a delay is less important than the event being rescheduled.

Common error

Avoid using "be put off" in a sentence where it is unclear if you mean someone was disgusted or if a meeting was delayed. For example, 'The manager was put off' could mean he was discouraged or that his appointment was moved. Always add a clarifying preposition or clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be put off" functions as a passive phrasal verb construction. It is formed by the auxiliary verb 'to be' and the past participle of the phrasal verb 'put off'. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used to describe a state resulting from an external stimulus, either shifting a deadline or altering a person's mood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be put off" is a highly effective and versatile English idiom verified by Ludwig AI as grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its primary strength lies in its dual meaning: it can refer to the postponement of an event (common in news and business) or a feeling of discouragement or distaste (common in lifestyle and instructional writing). With 60 examples from top-tier sources like The New York Times and Nature, it is clear that the phrase bridges the gap between everyday speech and sophisticated journalism. When using it, ensure the context clearly dictates whether you are discussing a schedule or a sentiment to maintain maximum clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be postponed

Focuses strictly on the rescheduling of an event to a later time

be discouraged

Captures the psychological aspect of losing confidence or enthusiasm

be delayed

A simpler temporal alternative used for logistics and timing

be deterred

Implies being prevented from acting due to fear or doubt

be deferred

A more formal synonym for delaying a decision or task

be repelled

Suggests a stronger feeling of physical or moral distaste

be unsettled

Refers to feeling nervous or disturbed by something

be grossed out

An informal alternative indicating physical disgust

be unenthusiastic

Describes the resulting state of mind rather than the action of the stimulus

be distracted

Indicates a shift in attention rather than just a loss of interest

FAQs

What can I say instead of "be put off"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/be+postponed" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be postponed" for time-related delays or "<a href="/s/be+discouraged" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be discouraged" for emotional reactions.

Is "be put off" formal enough for an essay?

While it is correct and widely used in publications like The Economist, it is often seen as semi-formal. For a strictly academic tone, you might prefer "<a href="/s/be+deterred" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be deterred" or "<a href="/s/be+delayed" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be delayed".

How do you use "be put off" in a sentence about a task?

When referring to a task, it usually means delay, such as: "The project cannot <a href="/s/be+put+off+indefinitely" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be put off indefinitely."

What is the difference between "be put off" and "be repelled"?

While both indicate a negative reaction, "<a href="/s/be+repelled" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be repelled" is much stronger and implies a desire to move away, whereas "be put off" simply suggests a loss of interest or minor distaste.