bidding goodbye

USAGE SUMMARY

'bidding goodbye' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as an idiom when you are saying farewell to someone. For example: After spending a wonderful evening together, we said our goodbyes, bidding goodbye to each other with a hug.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Is she bidding goodbye to her old life or hello to her new one?

The New York Times

The gallery's owners were bidding goodbye to their shoebox space of 800 square feet.

The New York Times - Arts

Many smiled, bidding goodbye to Hungarian volunteers who had brought food and water in recent days.

The Guardian

Lots of people were bidding goodbye to the Patriots dynasty after they were obliterated by the Ravens.

The New York Times

At 4 07, near 86th Street, eight children disembarked all at once, bidding goodbye to strangers as they filed out.

The New York Times

Bidding goodbye to a great comic talent inevitably inspires nostalgia, and the death of Ronnie Corbett has opened a floodgate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

I bid goodbye and leave.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

SILFEN--Pearl Cohen, bid goodbye to us on June 11.

The New York Times

Last month, Lily Allen bade goodbye to the internet.

The Guardian - Music

Nice way to bid goodbye to an abhorrent summer.

The New York Times

Remember in the theme song of the CBS sitcom "Green Acres" how Eva Gabor, as Lisa Douglas, bade goodbye to city life?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bidding goodbye", consider the context and tone. It is often appropriate for formal or slightly sentimental situations.

Common error

Avoid using "bidding goodbye" in very casual or informal settings where a simpler "saying goodbye" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bidding goodbye" functions as an idiomatic expression to describe the act of saying farewell. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It often implies a more formal or sentimental farewell than simply "saying goodbye".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bidding goodbye" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiomatic phrase to express farewell, often with a formal or slightly sentimental tone. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media. While it's acceptable, it is important to consider the context and choose a more neutral expression like "saying goodbye" for casual situations. When aiming for a more formal or literary tone, "bidding goodbye" serves as an effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

saying farewell

Replaces "bidding" with the more common "saying", resulting in a more straightforward expression.

offering a farewell

Emphasizes the act of offering a farewell, changing the verb and adding a noun.

extending a farewell

Similar to 'offering a farewell' but uses 'extending' to emphasize the gesture of farewell.

expressing farewell

Highlights the expression of farewell, focusing on communication.

taking leave

A more formal way of expressing departure, replacing the entire phrase with a single idiom.

taking one's leave

Slightly more emphasized form of "taking leave", adding possessive pronoun "one's".

wishing farewell

Focuses on the act of wishing someone farewell, changing the verb and maintaining the sentiment.

parting ways

Focuses on the separation aspect of saying goodbye, suitable when describing the end of a journey or relationship.

saying adieu

Uses the French term "adieu" for a more dramatic or literary effect.

waving goodbye

Adds the physical action of waving to the act of saying goodbye, providing a more vivid image.

FAQs

How can I use "bidding goodbye" in a sentence?

You can use "bidding goodbye" to describe the act of saying farewell. For example, "After a memorable journey, they were "bidding goodbye" to their adventure companions".

What are some alternatives to "bidding goodbye"?

Alternatives include "saying farewell", "taking leave", or "parting ways", depending on the context.

Is "bidding goodbye" formal or informal?

"Bidding goodbye" leans towards a slightly more formal or sentimental tone than simply "saying goodbye".

What's the difference between "bidding goodbye" and "saying goodbye"?

"Bidding goodbye" has a slightly more elevated and formal tone, implying a more significant farewell, while "saying goodbye" is a more neutral and common expression.