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.

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good riddance

It is not uncommon for an orchestra to say good riddance to an outgoing conductor, indicating it is time for something new and different.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 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 Tartan Army will bid it good riddance while, at the same time, heralding the arrival of a new darling.

From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2024

"Go up and see," said Jack contemptuously, "and good riddance."

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

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