send him off

USAGE SUMMARY

"send him off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean asking or ordering someone to go away or leave a place, usually in a more polite or forceful way than telling them to "go". For example: "The party was getting too loud, so I asked my guest to send him off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I thought the referee was closer to the incident [Mark Phillips's red card], if he didn't believe it was a sending-off, why did he send him off?

BBC

Let's just send him off instead.

The Guardian - Sport

I couldn't see the De Jong incident – so how could I send him off?

Independent

The referee was entitled to send him off, and did, and England lost, on penalties.

The Guardian - Sport

"It never entered my mind to send him off," said Courtney.

The Guardian - Sport

This might well be Jason Bourne's last outing, so I hope they send him off in style.

Independent

Perhaps Everton can disguise Tony Hibbert as Stones and send him off to Stamford Bridge.

The Guardian - Sport

He had to send him off and give the free-kick.

The Guardian - Sport

He asked the ref to send him off, and that's what happened".

The Guardian - Sport

You have to send him off and allow another player to take his kick.

The Guardian - Sport

The decision to send him off cost Germany the match: they immediately conceded another goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "send him off" when you want to convey a sense of finality or ceremony, especially in contexts like sports (e.g., a player getting a red card) or farewells (e.g., someone retiring).

Common error

Avoid using "send him off" when a simpler phrase like "tell him to leave" or "remove him" is more appropriate. "Send him off" often carries a stronger emotional weight or implies a formal action.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "send him off" is that of a phrasal verb, where 'send' is the verb and 'off' is the particle. This construction modifies the meaning of 'send' to indicate dismissal or ejection. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "send him off" is a versatile phrasal verb primarily used to describe the act of dismissing or ejecting someone, often with a sense of finality. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, covering topics ranging from sports to farewells. Related phrases include "dismiss him", "eject him", and "kick him out", each carrying slightly different connotations. When using "send him off", it's important to consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended tone and formality. Keep in mind that "send him off" carries a stronger emotional weight and implies a more formal action than some simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove him

A general term for taking someone away from a place or position.

tell him to leave

Direct instruction for someone to depart.

dismiss him

Focuses on the act of removing someone from a position or situation.

eject him

Implies a forceful removal from a place or situation.

kick him out

Suggests a more informal and often abrupt removal.

discharge him

Implies a formal release, often from a duty or obligation.

relieve him of duty

Specifically refers to removing someone from their assigned tasks.

oust him

Suggests removing someone from power or a prominent position.

banish him

Implies a more permanent and often punitive removal.

expel him

Indicates a formal removal from an organization or institution.

FAQs

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

You can use "send him off" to describe someone being dismissed from a game, like, "The referee had no choice but to send him off after that foul." It can also mean giving someone a good farewell, as in, "We wanted to send him off with a memorable party."

What does it mean to "send someone off" in soccer?

In soccer, to "send someone off" means the referee has ejected a player from the game, usually by showing a red card, due to a serious violation of the rules.

Which is the correct usage, "send him off" or "sent him off"?

Both "send him off" and "sent him off" are correct, depending on the tense you need. "Send him off" is the infinitive form, while "sent him off" is the past tense.

What can I say instead of "send him off"?

You can use alternatives like "dismiss him", "eject him", or "kick him out" depending on the context.