good riddance

Idioms

Also, good riddance to bad rubbish. A welcome loss or departure. This expression is often used as an exclamation. For example, The principal has finally retired, and most of the teachers are saying, “Good riddance!” or When Jean decided to give up her violin her relieved family quietly said, “Good riddance to bad rubbish.”. [Late 1700s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Up until those moments, Scotland were in mortal danger of being sent on their way with a collective shrug from the Tartan Army, a goodbye and good riddance message as they prepared for departure.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Thus, to the “tyranny”—to the “dead hand”—of gold, he says good riddance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

If this is it for The Weeknd as we know him, good riddance.

From Salon • May 19, 2025

The rest of us can only say good riddance.

From Slate • May 9, 2025

“It’s good riddance to the lot of them,” Mr. Derby replied, a look of disgust on his face.

From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023