see off

USAGE SUMMARY

'see off' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to mean that you are going to accompany someone to a place and then part ways with them from there. For example: I'm going to see him off at the airport before he leaves on his trip.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are the justified favourites to see off Falkirk.

The Guardian - Sport

To see off the drug barons, of course.

The Economist

That may just be enough to see off the shorts.

The Economist

Get your own act together and see off their arguments.

The Guardian

On a good day I can see off 40.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Bill Clinton managed to see off the challenge).

The Guardian - Film

But he could not see off sections of his party.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is no doubt that Chelsea need to see off opponents and win more matches.

Independent

An Afghan government could see off today's insurgents, who are weaker, worse armed and less popular.

The Economist

It will help Mr Rajoy to see off both critics and potential challengers.

The Economist

The tougher challenge facing Mr Portillo is not to see off Mr Berger, but to govern.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "see off" to mean 'defeat,' ensure the context clearly indicates a competitive situation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "see off" in formal writing where 'accompany to a point of departure' is intended, as it can sometimes be interpreted as 'defeat.' Choose a more explicit alternative in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "see off" primarily functions as a verb denoting either accompanying someone to their point of departure or defeating an opponent. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "see off" is a versatile phrasal verb with two primary meanings: accompanying someone to their departure and defeating someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the context to avoid ambiguity between its two meanings. For more formal settings, more explicit alternatives might be preferable. Be mindful of potential misinterpretations and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accompany to the departure point

Highlights the act of escorting someone to where they are leaving from.

escort to their transport

Focuses on providing an escort specifically to the vehicle or mode of transport.

wave goodbye to

Focuses specifically on the act of waving as someone departs, emphasizing farewell.

bid farewell to

Emphasizes a formal or ceremonious goodbye.

fend off

Implies resisting or warding off an unwanted advance or attack.

defeat

Indicates winning against an opponent, especially in a competitive setting.

drive away

Focuses on the action of forcing someone or something to leave.

ward off

Suggests preventing something negative from happening or approaching.

repel

Suggests pushing back or driving away an attack or unwanted entity.

beat

A more general term for defeating someone in a competition or contest.

FAQs

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

You can use "see off" to mean accompanying someone to their point of departure, as in "I'm going to see my friend off at the train station". It can also mean defeating someone, as in "Our team managed to see off the competition".

What can I say instead of "see off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "wave goodbye to" or "bid farewell to" for accompanying someone. If you mean defeat, try "defeat" or "repel".

Which is correct, "see off" or "seeing off"?

"See off" is the base form. "Seeing off" is the present participle and is used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. For example, "I am seeing him off at the airport".

What's the difference between "see off" and "fend off"?

"See off" can mean to accompany someone to their departure point or to defeat someone. "Fend off" specifically means to defend against or repel an attack or unwanted advance. It's typically used in situations involving resistance.