[send] {sb} packing
1
to tell a person to leave immediately in a forceful manner
The idiom "send someone packing" is believed to have its origins in the idea of sending unwanted or uninvited individuals away by literally packing their belongings and directing them to leave. While the exact historical origin is not precisely documented, it likely evolved from a straightforward and practical action in which people would be asked to gather their belongings and depart, often due to misconduct, unwelcome presence, or a failure to meet expectations. It is typically used when individuals are no longer welcome or have behaved poorly, and their presence is unwanted or disruptive.
- The manager had no choice but to send the uncooperative employee packing due to repeated violations of company policy.
- When the unwanted salesperson refused to leave their doorstep, they had to threaten to call the police to send them packing.
- The homeowners were tired of the noisy neighbors and finally decided to send them packing by reporting their disruptive behavior to the authorities.
- The school principal had to send the troublemaking students packing after multiple warnings about their disruptive behavior in class.