kiss-off
noun
an act or instance of dismissing a person or thing.
kiss-off
American
[kis-awf, -of]
/ ˈkɪsˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
noun
-
Slang. an act or instance of dismissing a person or thing.
The company is about to give you the kiss-off, so you'd better start looking for another job.
-
Billiards, Pool. kiss.
kiss off
British
verb
noun
kiss off
Idioms
-
Dismiss or reject, as in He kissed off their offer . This usage alludes to kissing something goodbye [ Slang ; c. 1900]
-
Be forced to give up or regard as lost, as in You can kiss off that promotion . [ Slang ; late 1940s]
-
Get out, go away, as in She told the reporters to kiss off . [ Slang ; early 1990s]
Etymology
Origin of kiss-off
First recorded in 1930–35; noun use of verb phrase kiss off
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Weiss publicly resigned from her role as an opinion columnist and editor at the New York Times five years ago with a blistering kiss-off.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2025
Florence Pugh declared herself a fan, and ended up starring in the video for Never Need Me, a killer kiss-off to a boyfriend who left her dangling.
From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2025
When she performed her scorching kiss-off number, “¿Qué Creías?” she’d invite an ogling male fan onstage, just to verbally dress him down with her verses.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2025
Ariana Grande returns with a thumping, crimson-lipped kiss-off on “Yes, And?,” a feather-light confection safely — but still enjoyably — in her comfort zone.
From New York Times ● Jan. 12, 2024
About a dozen songs earlier, Swift bid a permanent farewell to an unredeemable lover with a reveling “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” — one of her first great kiss-off jams.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 24, 2023
A decision had to be made: Keep going or give it the kiss off?
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 6, 2022
“It was our kiss off to the city,” Ms. Gobena said.
From New York Times ● Oct. 15, 2021
Before our annual circuit around the sun forces us to kiss off the blueberry season, I urge one and all to try this blueberry tart.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 4, 2018
Likewise, you can kiss off the Gruyere and replace it with cheddar, blue cheese or feta.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 15, 2017
When Gay saw me wiping her kiss off my cheek, she said, “Okay, we won’t be showing this at family gatherings.”
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
