Phrase guide

someone's arse off

adv · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adv

Meaning 1

With great effort, vigour or gusto, or to the point of excess.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, adverbial, phrase, reflexive, vulgar

Examples

  • I've been working my arse off all day for a measly few quid.
  • What a gig! The band played their arses off.
  • We partied our arses off all night long.
  • I didn't notice – I was too busy laughing my arse off!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Used as a general negative intensifier: to an extreme degree.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, adverbial, phrase, reflexive, vulgar

Examples

  • I remember how we were all sweating our arses off during that heatwave.
  • I could be sitting on a beach somewhere rather than freezing my arse off in this dump.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adv

Meaning 3

So as to rigorously exercise or exhaust someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, adverbial, phrase, vulgar

Qualifier: non-reflexive

Examples

  • The boss has been working our arses off all week.
  • He may be 50 years old, but he could still run your arse off.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.