Home UK English see the back of

Meaning of see the back of in English:

see the back of

phrase

informal

  • Be rid of (an unwanted person or thing)

    • ‘we were always glad to see the back of her’
    • ‘This New Year's Eve I was alone, glad to see the back of 2004 and preparing to move forward in the coming year.’
    • ‘I won't be sorry to see the back of all these roadworks so we can all go about our daily business.’
    • ‘They will be glad to see the back of him in Edinburgh.’
    • ‘By the sounds of it, they're glad to see the back of him.’
    • ‘Everyone seemed glad to see the back of the teal jerseys.’
    • ‘As I said, you'd think I'd be happy to see the back of it.’
    • ‘He's a fool and we can't wait to see the back of him.’
    • ‘But when they leave most are relieved to see the back of them.’
    • ‘When are we going to see the back of that thoroughly misleading statistic?’
    • ‘Although villagers are desperate for a new hall, they will be sad to see the back of the old one.’