saw off

Related to saw off: saw out

saw off

To use a saw to sever something (from something else). A noun or pronoun can be used between "saw" and "off." I had to saw off the lower limbs of the tree to keep my young kids from climbing it. The doctors had to saw the patient's gangrenous arm off.
See also: off, saw

sawed off

slang Very disgruntled, angry, or outraged. Sometimes hyphenated. John was pretty sawed off when he found out that someone else had been given the promotion instead of him. There's no point in getting sawed-off over a bad grade on your exam. Just study harder next time!
See also: off, saw

see off

1. To accompany one to the place where they will be departing and wish them farewell. A noun or pronoun can be used between "see" and "off." John offered to see me off to the train station, but I was so sad to leave that I preferred to go alone. I'm just going to see our guests off. I'll be back shortly.
2. In sports, to defeat one's opponent. A noun or pronoun can be used between "see" and "off." Primarily heard in UK. Man United managed to see off Man City with a dramatic 3–2 victory. The young team is looking to see their rivals off in the semifinals.
3. To repel or fend off some attack or attacker. A noun or pronoun can be used between "see" and "off." The king's soldiers were able to see off the invasion, though the castle's defenses were weakened dramatically as a result. Our superior military will be able to see the rebel forces off without difficulty.
See also: off, see
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

saw something off (of) something

 and saw something off
to cut something off something with a saw. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) He sawed the branch off of the tree. Sam sawed the dead branch off. Saw off another branch on the other side.
See also: off, saw
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • base off (of) (something else)
  • check off
  • bite off
  • blow off
  • blow someone/something off
  • blow off the map
  • brass off
  • brass someone off
  • brassed off
  • call off
References in periodicals archive
Tournament outsiders Donegal saw off Tyrone 4-19 to 1-10 in Div 3A while Sligo accounted for Fermanagh with a 4-15 to 3-8 win.
Football: A Derry good day; NICKY RACKARD CUP
With the majority of the All-Ireland winning Kilkenny contingent on board, Leinster saw off Connacht by 3-18 to 2-13 at Nowlan Park yesterday.
GAA: Railway Cup: It's Ulster v Leinster. That's final; YESTERDAY'S RAILWAY CUP ROUND-UP
They saw off Dalbeattie Star in Saturday's replay as goals from Stuart Cargill, Brian Ritchie and Stephen Husband sealed a 3-1 win.
Civil Service spy ring for Gary; SCOTTISH CUP & LOWLAND
In Pool C matches, Kamusinga from Bungoma and Butula B (Busia) eased through after seeing off Kabianga High (26-7) and Chianda (19-10) respectively.Chavakali from Vihiga saw off Shikunga from Kakamega County 24-19 to top Pool D alongside Maseno C.
Maseno too hot to handle in NMG-sponsored tourney
United won 2-1 at Villa Rovers while second-placed Killowen Celtic saw off Ballybot United 2-0.
Carnbane League KILLEAVEY UNITED were [...]
THE Sneaky Funnies gave themselves a great chance of escaping the bottom of the table in the Southport Wednesday six-a-side football league after they saw off fellow strugglers TCS as the season reached its halfway point.
Wirral League full of Spenergy; LEISURE LEAGUES WIRRAL
Fraserburgh's knack of upsetting title-chasers continued as Scott Barbour's finish saw off reigning champions Cove 1-0.
Even weather can't rain on Brora parade; ROUND UP
ANDY Murray reached the semi-finals of the AEGON Championships without dropping a set when he saw off saw off Germany's Benjamin Becker 6-4 7-6 (7/4) to set up a mouthwatering last-four showdown with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga,.
Murray made to work for victory; TENNIS
The 23-year-old powered past Argentina's Guido Pella 6-3 6-1, adding to his Davis Cup heroics in April when he saw off Dmitry Tursunov as Britain came from 2-0 down to beat Russia 3-2.
Evans cleans up his act and wins; SPORT SHORTS TENNIS
Although he was no match for easy winner Morning Royalty, that rival has won again since and he comfortably saw off the rest.
Samson may prove too strong; wednesday ayr
WEST Jesmond's strong finish to the season continued as they saw off Walker Central Reserves 5-1 at Benson Park to reach the final of the John Hampson Memorial Trophy.
A five-star show as West head for final; Reay brace seals place in decider Tyneside Amateur League
Having defeated Meszaros Zsolt, Peter Martin and Kevin Munch in the early rounds, Osborne then saw off York's Terry Temple 6-2 to win through to the quarter-finals.
Darts
SNOOKER: Shaun Murphy saw off six-time champion Stephen Hendry in a high-class second-round clash in the Masters at Wembley.
Classy Murphy; sport ROUND-UP
Fitton was the highest profile casualty at Frimley Green on a day when Martin Phillips downed seventh seed Dave Prins 3-0 and Paul Carter saw off tenth seed Martin Atkins 3-1.
Seeds are sown for destruction
The Asian duo, who will now face off in todayEoe1/4aos final, saw off Iran and Oman respectively to guarantee their spots at the global spectacular, which kicks off later this month.
Oman lose to Bahrain, miss World Cup bus