see me off

USAGE SUMMARY

This phrase is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used when someone is saying goodbye to someone else. For example, "I'm going on vacation, so come to the airport to see me off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Mum and dad have come to Sydney to see me off on the two trips to Wimbledon," she says.

The New York Times - Magazine

My time was up; he said he hated goodbyes and didn't come to see me off at the port.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was so happy as I wasn't the world's most confident child and it felt like a little talisman to see me off safely into the world.

The Guardian

I've told my friends and family that I don't want anyone to come and see me off - I'll turn into a sobbing mess.

The Guardian - Travel

I would be utterly addicted; a wet-the-bed, growl-at-strangers, dog-on-a-string drunk, rooting through bins for the dregs of some discarded carton of semi-skimmed; just enough to see me off to sleep.

Independent

When asked, my father will say he has never wanted to pressure me, that he's happy to see me off on my own and doing well, but it is clear to me he's holding something back.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Debbie sees me off into the taxi.

The Guardian

They saw me off with an absurdly luxurious party.

The Guardian

In my first trip to Europe, in 1965, virtually the entire village saw me off at the airport.

The New York Times

They accompanied me out through the airport and saw me off with waves and friendly smiles, into the Tehran night.

The New Yorker

Mavis sees me off to lunch with "What on earth were they thinking scheduling a Test today?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "see me off" when you want to emphasize the act of someone being present to witness and bid farewell to your departure. It adds a personal touch to the farewell.

Common error

Avoid using "see me off" in formal business correspondence or technical writing. It's generally more appropriate for personal narratives or informal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "see me off" functions as a phrasal verb, where 'see' takes on a specific meaning when combined with 'off'. It indicates the act of being present to witness and bid farewell to someone's departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English. Examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, mainly related to travel and personal goodbyes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

7%

HuffPost

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "see me off" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the act of someone being present to bid farewell at the time of departure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and appropriateness in written English. It carries a generally neutral to informal tone, making it suitable for news, personal narratives, and casual communication, but less so for strictly formal or scientific contexts. Found frequently in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, the phrase emphasizes personal connection and support during a departure. Alternatives include "bid me farewell" and "wave goodbye to me". Use "see me off" when you want to highlight the personal aspect of a farewell.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bid me farewell

Focuses on the act of saying goodbye, emphasizing the farewell itself.

say farewell to me at the station

Specifies the location of the farewell.

wave goodbye to me

Highlights the physical gesture of waving as a form of farewell.

give me a send-off

Refers to a celebratory event or gathering to mark someone's departure.

send me on my way

Emphasizes the act of facilitating someone's departure or journey.

be at my going-away

Emphasizes attendance at a farewell event.

wish me bon voyage

Uses a French expression to convey good wishes for a trip.

take me to the airport

Focuses on the act of driving someone to the airport for their departure.

accompany me to the departure point

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

be there for my departure

Highlights being present at the moment of someone leaving.

FAQs

What does "see me off" mean?

The phrase "see me off" means to be present at the departure of someone, usually to say goodbye. It implies a personal farewell.

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

You can use "see me off" in a sentence like: "My parents came to the airport to see me off before my flight."

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

While "see me off" is generally informal, a more formal alternative could be "attend my departure" or "be present at my leave-taking."

Is it correct to say "saw me off" or should it be "see me off"?

Both are correct, depending on the tense. "Saw me off" is the past tense, while "see me off" is present or future. For example, "They saw me off at the station" (past) vs "They will see me off at the station" (future).