see the back of

1. Be finished with, as in I hope we've seen the back of Betsy; she is terribly rude. This idiom transfers literally seeing someone's back because they are leaving to a more figurative and permanent departure. Also see see the last of.

Example Sentences

It was poor payback for what Southgate had given those England fans, only adding to the sense that this was an era drawing to a close, and perhaps the manager would not be sorry to see the back of it.

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When previewing the last dance in Tilburg, former Scotland international Leanne Crichton admitted it was a "bleak" campaign she was desperate to see the back of.

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Ipswich have won only once at home all season, while West Ham have been woeful for weeks now and will be glad to see the back of this campaign too.

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First reported in the Belfast Telegraph, Lyons is understood to have said he could not see the back of the hall to see all the guests but said the "good-looking ones" must have been seated at the front.

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Meanwhile, Wolves will be glad to see the back of De Bruyne as the midfielder has now scored six goals and provided five assists in 11 league games against them.

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