Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
put somebody/something off phrasal verb
1. put something ↔ off to delay doing something or to arrange to do something at a later time or date, especially because there is a problem or you do not want to do it now SYN delay, procrastinate:
The match has been put off until tomorrow because of bad weather.
put off doing something
I put off going to the doctor but I wish I hadn’t.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
put sth off — phrasal verb with put / pʊt / verb ( present tense putting , past tense and past participle put )
B1 to decide or arrange to delay an event or activity until a later time or date:
The meeting has been put off for a week.
[ + -ing verb ] I can't put off go ing to the dentist any longer.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
put sb off — phrasal verb with put / pʊt / verb ( present tense putting , past tense and past participle put )
to tell someone that you cannot see them or do something for them, or stop them from doing something, until a later time:
I really don't want to go out with Helen and Greg tonight - can't we put them off ?
He keeps asking me out, and I keep putting him off.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
put sb off (sth) — phrasal verb with put / pʊt / verb ( present tense putting , past tense and past participle put )
to take someone's attention away from what they want to be doing or should be doing:
Once she's made up her mind to do something, nothing will put her off.
Could you be quiet please - I'm trying to concentrate and you're putting me off.
The sudden flash of the camera put the players off their game.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
put sb off (sth/sb) — phrasal verb with put / pʊt / verb ( present tense putting , past tense and past participle put )
B2 to make someone dislike something or someone, or to discourage someone from doing something:
The smell of hospitals always puts me off.
You have to work long hours and that puts off a lot of people.
His attitude put me right off him.
[ + -ing verb ] Personally, I didn't enjoy the film, but don't let that put you off go ing .
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
put off
1) PHRASAL VERB If you put something off, you delay doing it.
[V P -ing/n (not pron)] Women who put off having a baby often make the best mothers...
[V n P] The Association has put the event off until October.
Syn:
postpone
2) PHRASAL VERB If you put someone off, you make them wait for something that they want.
[V n P] The old priest tried to put them off, saying that the hour was late.
3) PHRASAL VERB If something puts you off something, it makes you dislike it, or decide not to do or have it.
[V n P n/-ing] The high divorce figures don't seem to be putting people off marriage...
[V n P] His personal habits put them off...
[V P n (not pron)] The country's worsening reputation does not seem to be putting off the tourists...
[be V-ed P] We tried to visit the Abbey but were put off by the queues.
Syn:
deter
4) PHRASAL VERB If someone or something puts you off, they take your attention from what you are trying to do and make it more difficult for you to do it.
[V n P] She asked me to be serious - said it put her off if I laughed...
[V n P n/-ing] It put her off revising for her exams. [Also V P n (not pron)]
Syn:
distract