see him off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "see him off" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means to accompany a person to the place they are departing from, to say goodbye and wish them well on their journey. For example: "I went to the airport to see him off before his flight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

You never see him off balance.

The New York Times - Sports

All his friends come to see him off, and he carries an unopened letter from Milo.

The New Yorker

His wife flew to Beijing to see him off, and I joined them for dinner.

The New Yorker

Persian women came this morning to see him off and pose for pictures with him.

The New York Times

Then everyone said Lewis would see him off but that's not been the case either.

The Guardian - Sport

Can you help us identify any of the fans in this photo who were there to see him off?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

They were seeing him off.

The New York Times

"I have just seen him off.

The Guardian

The woman from Travelers Aid sees him off in the rain.

The New Yorker

After I saw him off, I was seized by a sudden apprehension.

The New Yorker

She married, had one night with her groom & saw him off at the station.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "see him off" to describe the act of going to a specific location (airport, station, etc.) to say goodbye to someone who is leaving. For instance, "I went to the train station to see him off."

Common error

Avoid using "see him off" when you simply mean to 'watch him leave' from a distance. This idiom implies active participation in the departure process, usually involving farewells.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "see him off" functions as an idiomatic expression, indicating the act of accompanying someone to their point of departure (e.g., airport, station) to bid farewell. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "see him off" is a correct and very common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of accompanying someone to their departure point to say goodbye. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is versatile, appearing in neutral contexts like news reports from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, as well as in more informal settings. Related phrases include "bid farewell to him" and "attend his departure", offering options for varying the tone and emphasis. Understanding its nuance ensures accurate usage, avoiding confusion with simply 'watching someone leave'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bid farewell to him

Focuses on the act of saying goodbye, emphasizing the emotional aspect.

be there for his send-off

Highlights the importance of being present at the departure.

wave goodbye to him

Highlights the gesture of waving as a form of farewell.

accompany him to his departure point

Emphasizes the physical act of going with someone to where they are leaving from.

attend his departure

Formally indicates presence at the time of leaving.

escort him to his transport

Suggests a more formal or protective accompaniment.

wish him bon voyage

Directly expresses good wishes for a pleasant journey.

take him to the station

Specifies a particular location (a station) and implies providing transportation.

go to the airport with him

Specifies the airport as the place to depart.

ensure his safe departure

Prioritizes the safety and security of the person leaving.

FAQs

How can I use "see him off" in a sentence?

Use "see him off" to describe the act of accompanying someone to their point of departure to say goodbye, such as, "His family went to the airport to see him off before his flight to Europe."

What does it mean to "see someone off"?

To "see someone off" means to go to the place where they are leaving from (like an airport or station) to say goodbye and wish them well on their journey. It implies being present at their departure point.

What's a more formal alternative to "see him off"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "bid farewell to him", "attend his departure", or "escort him to his transport" depending on the specific context.

Is "seeing him off" grammatically correct?

Yes, "seeing him off" is grammatically correct. It is a gerund phrase that can function as a noun in a sentence, for example, "Seeing him off was more emotional than I expected."