See Off – Meaning and Examples

When friends or family leave for a trip, we often go with them to the airport or station. In English, we say we see off someone who is departing. This idiom is also used in sports and competitions when one team defeats another.

What Does “See Off” Mean?

“See off” has two common meanings. It means to say goodbye to someone who is starting a journey. It also means to defeat an opponent in a competition. Think of it like waving goodbye at an airport or winning against a challenging team.

When to Use It

Use this idiom when accompanying someone to their departure point. Use it when talking about sports victories. Use it in business when one company outperforms another. It is a neutral phrase, good for both personal and competitive situations.

Example Sentences

We went to the airport to see my sister off on her trip to Europe.
The home team saw off their rivals with a 3-0 victory.
Let’s all go to the station to see Grandma off tomorrow.
Our company saw off the competition to win the big contract.

Mini Dialogue

Maria: “What time are you leaving for the airport tomorrow?”

David: “My flight is at 10 AM, but you really don’t need to come to see me off.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Remember, this idiom is about departures or defeats, not about visual perception from a distance.

❌ Don’t say: “I can see off the mountains from my window.” (Use “see” instead).
✅ Do say: “The whole family came to see me off at the train station.”

Practice Tip

Next time you watch a sports game, try using “see off” when the winning team defeats their opponents. Say something like “They really saw off the other team in that last match.”

Final Note

You now know how to use “see off” for both farewells and competitive victories. It’s a versatile phrase that will make your English sound more natural. Whether you’re saying goodbye to travelers or discussing sports, you can use this idiom confidently!

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