What are the definitions of “see off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Chase somebody or something away.
A cat came into the back garden but the dog soon SAW it OFF.
- 2Go to the airport, station, etc., to say goodbye to someone.
I went to the station to SEE them OFF.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “see off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb see off is to go to a place like an airport or train station to say goodbye to someone who is leaving. It is often used when someone is departing for a trip or moving away.
What are the different verb forms of “see off”?
| Root Verb | see off |
| Third Person Singular Present | sees off |
| Present Participle | seeing off |
| Simple Past | saw off |
| Past Participle | seen off |
Example
I will see off my friend at the airport tomorrow.
Example
She sees off her husband at the train station every time he goes on a business trip.
Example
They are seeing off their daughter as she leaves for college.
Example
We saw off our neighbors when they moved to another city.
Example
He had seen off many friends who left for new opportunities.
What kind of phrasal verb is “see off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“see off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
I saw off my sister at the airport.
Example
The dog saw the cat off in the garden.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“see off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I saw off my sister at the airport.
Example
The dog saw the cat off in the garden.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “see off”?
Good things to know
Does “see off” have an informal or formal tone?
See off is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal situations. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, depending on the context.
