see off

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

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

see someone off something

to accompany someone who is leaving something; to escort someone away from something. I saw the elderly lady off the station platform safely. The emcee saw the contestants off the stage.
See also: off, see

see someone off

to accompany one to the point of departure for a trip and say good-bye upon departure. We went to the train station to see Andy off. We saw off all the scouts going to camp.
See also: off, see
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

see someone off

Take leave of someone, as in We saw our guests off at the door, or They came to the airport to see us off. This expression was first recorded in 1809. Also see see out, def. 1.
See also: off, see, someone
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

see off

v.
To be with someone when he or she is leaving in order to say goodbye: We saw off our guests at the door. They came to the airport to see us off.
See also: off, see
The American Heritage® Dictionary of 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