send away: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘send away’ mean?

The idiom "send away" means to dismiss or force someone to leave, usually with a negative connotation.

Idiom Explorer

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One of the idioms commonly used in the English language is "send away." This idiom has a simple and versatile meaning, making it accessible to people of all backgrounds and ages.

"Send away" is used to describe the act of dismissing or causing someone or something to leave a specific location or situation. It can be used literally or figuratively, depending on the context.

When used literally, "send away" means to ask or direct someone to leave a particular place. For example, if you have guests at your house and you want them to depart, you might say, "I'll send you away now, it was nice having you." In this case, the idiom is used in a polite manner to indicate that the person should leave.

Dispatch the letter to dismiss all doubts.

Similarly, in a figurative sense, "send away" implies making someone or something go away or disappear. This can be applied to a range of situations and emotions. For instance, if you want to forget about a troubling memory or thought, you may say, "I need to send it away from my mind." Here, the idiom is used metaphorically to suggest removing or eliminating the unwanted thought or memory.

The idiom "send away" is commonly used in everyday language and can be traced back to early human interactions. The concept of sending someone away or dismissing them has been present throughout history, although the exact origins of this idiom are unclear.

One related idiom that shares a similar meaning with "send away" is "drive away." This expression also refers to making someone or something leave a particular place or situation. While "send away" can be used across various contexts, "drive away" specifically implies using force or coercion to make something or someone leave. For example, if someone is unwanted in a particular location, you might say, "We need to drive them away from here." The use of "drive away" conveys a more forceful approach compared to the more polite tone of "send away."

Another related idiom, "kiss off," also shares a similar meaning with "send away." This expression is typically used in a more informal and colloquial context to convey a dismissive or disregardful attitude towards someone or something. For example, if you have no interest in pursuing a romantic relationship, you might say, "I kissed him off and told him that I wasn't interested." Here, the idiom "kiss off" is used to suggest dismissing or rejecting someone in a casual or informal manner.

The idiom "send away" is commonly used in the English language to describe the act of dismissing or causing someone or something to leave a specific place or situation. It can be used both literally and figuratively, depending on the context. Its simplicity and versatility make it accessible to people from various backgrounds. Additionally, related idioms such as "drive away" and "kiss off" share a similar meaning, but with different tones and levels of forcefulness.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom "send away" can be used in a sentence:

  • She sent her application away and hoped for a quick response.
  • The school decided to send away the unruly student for the rest of the week as a disciplinary action.
  • My friend sent away the faulty product and received a replacement in a few days.

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