offence

Everyday

1. An offence is a crime or an act that breaks a law or rule. tree →
2. Offence is the feeling of being upset or insulted by what someone says or does. tree →
3. (US «offense», sport) The offence is the team or players who are attacking and trying to score. tree →
4. "No offence" is a polite phrase that asks someone not to be upset by what you are about to say. tree →

In the lessons

In citizenship lessons, offences range from small ones like dropping litter to serious crimes. In everyday life, «no offence» is said before something that might upset someone, and «take offence» means feel insulted. Phrases: a criminal offence, a minor offence, take offence, no offence, cause offence, first offence.

Examples

• Dropping litter is an offence in many towns. tree →
• It is an offence to drive without a licence. tree →
• No offence, but I don't like your hat. tree →
• She took offence at his rude joke. tree →
• Since it was his first offence, he only got a warning. tree →
• Our team's offence scored three touchdowns. (US) tree →
• I didn't mean to cause offence. tree →

Note

British spelling «offence», American «offense». Countable for crimes (an offence, offences), uncountable for the feeling («take offence»). The verb is «offend», the adjective «offensive». «No offence» often comes right before something rude.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means something that makes a person trip or fall, like a stone in the road, or a cause of hurt feelings.

Interpretation. In Isaiah, God Himself is a rock of offence for those who do not trust Him. Tradition reads this as a warning that God's word can be a snare to those who ignore it.

Examples

• If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences. (Writings ECC.10.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• that this shall be no stumbling-block unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood without cause, or that my lord hath found redress for himself. (Prophets 1SA.25.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• And He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Prophets ISA.8.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

British spelling «offence», American «offense». Countable for crimes (an offence, offences), uncountable for the feeling («take offence»). The verb is «offend», the adjective «offensive». «No offence» often comes right before something rude.