wave off
To wave your hand to say something doesn't matter, or to wave goodbye to someone leaving.
Meanings
To wave goodbye to someone who is departing.
"The whole family stood on the platform and waved off the train."
To dismiss something, such as a compliment or a concern, with a casual wave of the hand.
"He waved off the praise, insisting anyone in his position would have done the same."
In aviation or military contexts, to signal a pilot or vehicle to abort a landing or approach.
"The flight controller waved off the aircraft when the runway wasn't clear."
Has two quite distinct meanings: one dismissive, one related to farewell. Context makes the meaning clear. The farewell sense is common in military and aviation contexts (waving off an aircraft). Common in American and British English.
Commonly used with
Forms
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