send off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, semi-formal (context-dependent)
Quick answer
What does “send off” mean?
To dispatch something or someone to a destination.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To dispatch something or someone to a destination; to cause someone to depart, often formally.
To dismiss someone from a job; (sports) to order a player to leave the field, ejecting them; to say goodbye to a departing person, often with a celebration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use all meanings. 'Send off for' (to order by post) is more common in UK English. The sports ejection meaning is very common in UK English (football/rugby) and used in US English (soccer), but US sports more commonly use 'eject'.
Connotations
In both, 'send off' for a parcel is neutral. A celebratory 'send-off' is positive. Dismissal from a job is negative. Sports ejection is negative/disciplinary.
Frequency
Overall frequency is similar. The 'order by post' sense has higher frequency in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “send off” in a Sentence
send sth off (to sb)send sb off (for sth)send off (for sth)send off sb (sports)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “send off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The manager had to send off the striker for a dangerous tackle.
- I must send off for that new seed catalogue.
American English
- The referee sent the defender off for unsportsmanlike conduct.
- He sent off the final payment yesterday.
adjective
British English
- It was a proper send-off do for the retiring vicar.
American English
- They organized a surprise send-off party before her transfer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
We need to send off the signed contracts by courier today.
Academic
The researcher sent off the manuscript to the journal for peer review.
Everyday
I'll send off a birthday card to my cousin.
Technical
The server sends off a confirmation packet upon receipt.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “send off”
- Using 'send off' for simply 'sending' an email (too formal/physical). Confusing 'send off' (verb) with 'send-off' (noun). Incorrect word order: 'I sent to him off the package' (correct: 'I sent off the package to him').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the context. Sending off a parcel is neutral. A 'send-off' (noun) for a colleague is semi-formal. Being 'sent off' a sports field is technical/formal within that context.
'See off' primarily means to accompany someone to their point of departure to say goodbye. 'Send off' focuses more on the act of causing the departure (dispatching) or the formal farewell event itself.
No, that is a misleading translation trap. In very old or literary contexts, 'send to their death' exists, but modern 'send off' does not mean 'to kill'.
Commonly used: 'The parcel was sent off yesterday.' 'He was sent off for arguing with the official.'
To dispatch something or someone to a destination.
Send off: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛnd ˈɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛnd ˈɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get your marching orders (dismissal)”
- “See someone off the premises”
- “Red card (sports send-off)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a referee showing a RED card to SEND a player OFF the field.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEPARTURE IS BEING SENT AWAY (e.g., sent off to school, sent off with our best wishes).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'send off' LEAST likely to be used?