wave off

To move your hand or a flag to tell someone to stop or leave.

• She waved the salesman off.
• The guard waved off the waiting drivers.
• He tried to help, but she waved him off.

How to use it: wave someone/something off (The guard waved the truck off.)

Similar words: wave away, dismiss

Common phrases: wave off someone, wave someone off

To say goodbye by moving your hand as someone leaves.

• We waved our friends off.
• She stood outside and waved him off.
• Will you come to wave us off tomorrow?

How to use it: wave someone off (We waved our daughter off at the station.)

Similar words: wave goodbye to, see off

Common phrases: wave someone off, wave off friends

For a referee to use a hand signal to show that a goal does not count.

• The referee waved off the goal.
• The kick looked good, but the official waved it off.
• Why did they wave off those points?

How to use it: wave a goal off (The referee waved the goal off.)

Similar words: disallow, rule out

Opposites: allow

Common phrases: wave off something, wave off goals

To signal to a pilot that they must fly around and try landing again.

• The officer waved off the aircraft.
• She waved the pilot off because the deck was blocked.
• A dangerous approach may force the officer to wave you off.

How to use it: wave someone/something off (The officer waved the pilot off.)

Similar words: signal a go-around

Common phrases: wave off aircraft, wave off a pilot