Smarting off/ Smart enough

[Tedri]

Hey there,

It is not that big a deal but it still annoys me that when I say "Smarting off" and "Smart enough" its exactly the same pronounciation. So I guess you can figure out which of them I'm saying with the context but I'd like to know if there's a way to differentiate them verbally or even if I'm doing it wrong. Thanks

 

[emsr2d2]

They don't have the same pronunciation. The "-ing" ending of "smarting" should be enunciated clearly. Additionally, "-ing off" is not pronounced the same as "enough".

Enough = inn-uff (I don't do phonetic symbols).
-ing off = ing off

 

[Tedri]

Thanks for the phonetics, I must admit I rarely pronounce the -ing. I assume I should from now on.

I'm going to try to emphasize it and see if it's better. Thanks.

With regard to the context "smarting off" ,can be used when you speak of a mean kid, for instance.

 

[emsr2d2]

Thanks for the phonetics​. I [STRIKE]gotta[/STRIKE] have got to/must admit I rarely pronounce the -ing. I assume I should from now on.

I'm [STRIKE]gonna[/STRIKE] going to try to emphasize it and see if it's better. Thanks.

[STRIKE]For[/STRIKE] With regard to the context, "smarting off" can be used when you speak of a mean kid, for instance.

Please note my amendments above. Don't use textspeak/chatlish like "gotta" and "gonna" - use full English words.

I don't associate "to smart off" with being mean. I associate it with being cheeky or talking back to adults. A child might be told off for answering back rudely to a teacher or to a parent. I would expect to hear "I'm fed up with you smarting off. Go to your room and don't come out until dinner".

 

[Tedri]

I will pay more attention to my writing sorry about that.

Your definition of "smart off" is perfectly fine, most of the time when I hear it, it refers to a kid who is really violent verbally.