put off

To decide to do something later, often because you do not want to do it now.

• Do not put off your homework.
• I put off calling the dentist for weeks.
• Can we put the trip off until spring?

How to use it: put off doing something (I keep putting off cleaning the kitchen.); put something off until something (We put the meeting off until Monday.)

Similar words: postpone, delay

Common phrases: put off something, put off homework, put off repairs

To make someone dislike something or decide not to do it.

• The smell put me off the food.
• That bad experience put him off flying.
• Do not let the price put you off.

How to use it: put someone off something (The smell put me off my lunch.); put someone off doing something (The cost put her off buying a car.)

Similar words: discourage, deter, repel

Opposites: encourage, attract

Common phrases: put someone off, put off customers

To make it harder for someone to pay attention to what they are doing.

• That noise is putting me off.
• Someone shouted and put her off as she served.
• Does the music put you off while you study?

How to use it: put someone off (Your tapping is putting me off.)

Similar words: distract, disturb

Common phrases: put someone off, put me off

To send a smell, smoke, heat, or light into the air around something.

• This heater puts off a lot of heat.
• The burning leaves put off thick smoke.
• Does that paint put off strong fumes?

Similar words: give off, emit

Common phrases: put off heat, put off smoke, put off fumes

Feeling upset or disgusted by something unpleasant.

• I felt put off by the smell.
• The guests seemed quite put off by his behaviour.
• Were you put off by the dirty tables?

How to use it: be put off by something (I was put off by his rude questions.)

Similar words: disgusted, repelled, offended

Common phrases: feel put off, quite put off

Feeling that something is too difficult or frightening to attempt.

• The beginners felt put off by the challenge.
• He was not put off by the steep climb.
• Are you put off by all those forms?

How to use it: be put off by something (She was put off by the amount of work.)

Similar words: daunted, discouraged, intimidated

Opposites: confident

Common phrases: feel put off, easily put off