What Does “Send sb off” Mean?
“Send sb off” means to make someone leave or go away, often for a particular reason. It can also mean to say goodbye to someone who is leaving.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “send sb off” is commonly used in English to describe the act of making someone leave a place or situation. It can be used in many contexts, such as asking someone to leave a game, a meeting, or even saying farewell when someone is about to travel. Understanding the send sb off meaning helps learners use this phrase naturally in daily conversations, whether in formal or informal settings. This phrase is useful for expressing actions related to departure or dismissal.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: send somebody off
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to make someone leave or to say goodbye to someone who is leaving
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Send sb off” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb) between “send” and “off,” or after the whole phrase.
- Send someone off
- Send off someone
Both forms are correct, but the first is more common.
How to Use Send sb off?
You can use “send sb off” when talking about:
- Asking or making someone leave a place or event, sometimes because of bad behavior.
- Saying goodbye to someone who is leaving, especially when they go on a journey.
- In sports, when a player is removed from the game by the referee.
Examples
Here are some natural examples to understand send sb off in a sentence:
- The coach sent the player off after the foul.
- We all gathered to send her off at the airport.
- The teacher sent the noisy student off to the principal’s office.
- They sent him off with a big party before he moved abroad.
- The referee sent off two players during the match.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the position of the object or the meaning. Here are some common mistakes:
- Incorrect: Send off him immediately.
Correct: Send him off immediately. - Incorrect: She sent off to the store.
Correct: She was sent off to the store. - Incorrect: I send off my friend at the station.
Correct: I sent my friend off at the station.
Differences / Synonyms
Other phrasal verbs similar to “send sb off” include:
- Kick sb out: To force someone to leave, usually in a rude or official way. More forceful than “send off.”
- See sb off: To say goodbye to someone who is leaving, especially at a station or airport. Often more formal or emotional than “send off.”
- Send away: To tell someone to leave and not come back, often permanently.
“Send sb off” can mean both making someone leave and saying goodbye, depending on context.
Common Collocations
Here are some common objects used with “send sb off” and their meanings:
- Send a player off: To remove a player from a sports game.
- Send a student off: To ask a student to leave a classroom or school.
- Send someone off: To say goodbye before someone leaves.
- Send an employee off: To dismiss or allow an employee to leave.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of send sb off:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “send sb off”:
Anna: Did you see the referee send off that player?
Mark: Yes, it was a red card for a dangerous tackle.
Anna: I also heard they sent off the noisy student from class.
Mark: That’s right. The teacher couldn’t tolerate the disruption.
Anna: Tomorrow, we’ll send off Sarah at the airport. It’s her last day here.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “send sb off”:
- The referee ______ the player ______ after the foul.
- We will ______ our guests ______ at the station.
- The teacher decided to ______ the noisy student ______.
- They ______ him ______ with a big party before his trip.
FAQ
- What does “send sb off” mean in sports?
It means the referee removes a player from the game, usually for breaking the rules.
- Can “send sb off” mean saying goodbye?
Yes, it can mean to say goodbye to someone who is leaving.
- Is “send sb off” separable?
Yes, you can place the object between “send” and “off” or after the whole verb.
- What is the difference between “send off” and “see off”?
“Send off” can mean to make someone leave or say goodbye, while “see off” mainly means to say goodbye at a departure point.
- Can I use “send sb off” in formal writing?
Yes, especially when talking about farewells or official dismissals.
