to see off

USAGE SUMMARY

"to see off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the act of someone accompanying another to the place from which they will depart, usually to bid them farewell. For example: "I went to the airport to see off my friend before she left for her vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is it enough to see off PES?

The Guardian - Tech

To see off the drug barons, of course.

The Economist

They are the justified favourites to see off Falkirk.

The Guardian - Sport

That may just be enough to see off the shorts.

The Economist

(Bill Clinton managed to see off the challenge).

The Guardian - Film

In April's election, it sometimes resorted to bullying and intimidation to see off independent candidates.

The Economist

England then had a half-chance to see off each of the openers before lunch.

Independent

There's a lot of promising new fashion to see off the runways in Paris this season.

The New York Times

As Bell assessed it, he had to see off that threat first and foremost.

Independent

Once again, America needs better co-operation with allies to see off rogue states and terrorists.

The Economist

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

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to see off" to mean 'to defeat', ensure the context clearly indicates a competitive situation. For example, "The team needed a strong defense to see off their opponents."

Common error

Avoid using "to see off" in highly formal contexts when intending to convey 'to defeat'. While acceptable, alternatives such as "to overcome" or "to vanquish" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to see off" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb 'see' with the particle 'off' to create a meaning that is distinct from the individual words. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used, with examples showing it in the context of bidding farewell or repelling an opponent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Sport

17%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"To see off" is a phrasal verb with two primary meanings: to accompany someone to their point of departure and to defeat or repel an opponent. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, especially in news and sports contexts. While generally neutral in register, it’s essential to consider the intended meaning and context to ensure appropriate usage. Alternatives like "to bid farewell to" or "to fend off" may provide more precise nuances in certain situations. Be mindful of the connotation to avoid misinterpretations, and when intending to convey 'to defeat' in highly formal settings, consider using more elevated language. With an expert rating of 4.5, the phrase’s high source quality and consistent usage underscore its reliability and versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to send off

A more concise way of saying "to see off", emphasizing the act of facilitating someone's departure.

to bid farewell to

This alternative focuses specifically on the act of saying goodbye, emphasizing the emotional aspect of departure.

to escort to departure

This phrase highlights the act of accompanying someone to their point of departure, stressing the physical action.

to wave goodbye to

This alternative focuses on the gesture of waving as a form of farewell, emphasizing a visual aspect of parting.

to fend off

This phrase shifts the meaning towards repelling or defending against a threat or challenge, rather than accompanying someone.

to defeat

Focuses on overcoming an opponent or challenge, removing the element of escorting or bidding farewell.

to repel

Emphasizes the act of driving back or warding off something, typically a threat.

to dismiss

Indicates a rejection or disregard, diverging from the original meaning of escorting or defeating.

to handle

Focuses on managing or dealing with a situation, rather than escorting or overcoming.

to manage

Similar to "handle", this implies control and direction, differing from the act of seeing someone off.

FAQs

What does "to see off" mean?

The phrase "to see off" has two primary meanings. It can mean to accompany someone to their point of departure, like an airport or train station, or it can mean to defeat or repel someone or something.

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

Here's an example for each meaning: "I went to the airport to see off my brother" and "The team managed "to see off" their rivals in the final match".

What are some alternatives to "to see off" when meaning 'to defeat'?

When "to see off" means 'to defeat', you can use alternatives like "to fend off", "to repel", or "to overcome", depending on the context.

Is "to see off" formal or informal?

"To see off" is generally considered neutral in register. While it's suitable for everyday conversation, more formal alternatives might be preferable in professional or academic writing, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. For example, "to escort" might sound more formal than "to see off".