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Question for US English speakers: There’s this expression in English, “put someone off”, that can mean “make someone discouraged”, “cause someone to dislike something”. It has a close meaning to the expression “turn someone off”. The thing is, though, that “turn someone off” usually have sexual connotations. Besides, in many dictionaries, it says that “put someone off” is mainly a British expression. I’d like know if that expression is also used in the US. If now, what would you say in the following sentences? “His lack of motivation really puts me off” “The rain put me off going out tonight” Thank you
Jan 28, 2021 2:35 AM
Answers · 3
Just to add ... 'Turn me off' and 'Turn me on' are not really opposite terms. 'Turn on' is associated with arousal. But once that has been established, you could use 'turn off' as its opposite. "She said something that really turned me on, then she said something else which turned me off again." Both are to do with arousal because the first use of it establiahes that. It wouldn't work quite the same way and would be confusing if you said "She really turned me off with what she said, then she said something else which really turned me on." Suddenly the idea of arousal has been introduced in the second half of the sentence. If it all associates to an object, then it will work because the issue of arousal won't be there at all. "She turned me off the idea of working late, then she said something which turned me on to it." or ... "She turned me on to idea of working late, then she said something which turned me off to it."
January 28, 2021
First, “turn me off” isn’t necessarily sexual and is a good way to describe a gut reaction to a person. That candidate turns me off. I hope he doesn’t win the election. Your examples of “put me off” are ok but I would be more inclined to use it with an object. The last time I ate sushi I got very sick. That put me off Japanese food. You can also say that someone’s behavior is off-putting.
January 28, 2021
We say "put me off" in the US! We would say it exactly how you wrote it.
January 28, 2021
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