come off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe how something is perceived or interpreted by others, often in terms of attitude or behavior. Example: "He tends to come off as arrogant, even though he doesn't mean to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It didn't come off.

The New Yorker

Come off it.

The Economist

"He didn't come off tough.

The New Yorker

Gloves and shirts come off.

The New York Times - Arts

Unfortunately, it didn't come off".

Independent

You can always come off".

The New York Times - Science

It doesn't always come off.

The New York Times - Books

"First, they come off gluten.

The New Yorker

Come off it, Mr. Gaffney.

The New York Times

"Come off it," he said.

The Economist

Dolphins likewise come off handsomely.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come off" to mean 'appear', consider your audience. In formal writing, alternatives like "appear" or "seem" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Be mindful of the context when using "come off", as it has multiple meanings. Ensure your usage clearly indicates whether you mean 'detach', 'succeed', or 'appear' to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "come off" functions primarily to describe separation, success, or appearance. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility, demonstrating use in contexts ranging from physical detachment to perceived qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

27%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "come off" is a versatile and frequently used expression with multiple meanings, spanning from physical detachment to perceived success or impressions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. While suitable for various contexts, more formal alternatives may be considered in professional or academic writing. The phrase is most commonly found in "News & Media" and "Wiki", indicating its widespread usage in diverse communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detach

Focuses specifically on the action of something becoming separated or unfastened.

be detached

Similar to detach but expresses more the condition rather than the action.

become separated

Emphasizes the result of separation rather than the process of detachment.

break away

Emphasizes a sudden or forceful separation.

succeed

Highlights the accomplishment of a goal, mirroring the 'to have success' meaning.

be successful

Stresses the state of having achieved success, similar to one sense of "come off".

appear

Concentrates on the visual or perceived impression made.

seem

Indicates how something is perceived, placing more emphasis on subjective assessment.

give the impression

Focuses on creating a certain perception in others.

be perceived as

Highlights how something is understood or interpreted by others.

FAQs

How can I use "come off" in a sentence?

You can use "come off" to mean 'detach', as in "The button came off my shirt". Alternatively, it can mean 'succeed', as in "The presentation didn't quite come off as planned". It can also mean 'appear', as in "He came off as arrogant".

What can I say instead of "come off" when referring to appearance?

When referring to appearance, you can use alternatives like "appear", "seem", or "give the impression" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "come off" in formal writing?

While "come off" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as informal in certain contexts. In formal writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "appear", "result", or "succeed".

What's the difference between "come off" and "detach"?

"Come off" is a phrasal verb with multiple meanings, including 'to detach'. "Detach" specifically refers to the action of separating something. You might say "The handle came off", which could be replaced by "The handle detached".