PhrasesHub

Good riddance

    Definitions

      • express relief or satisfaction over the departure or removal of someone or something undesirable
        Used when someone or something has been causing annoyance, trouble or inconvenience and their departure or removal is seen as a positive thing. Can also be used to express that the person or thing was not wanted or appreciated in the first place.

      • dismiss or reject someone or something as unimportant or insignificant
        When someone or something is considered to be of little value or not worth keeping, this phrase can be used to dismiss or reject them. Can also be used to express that someone or something is not missed or needed.

    Examples of Good riddance

    • The bully who used to torment me in school finally moved away. I can't help but think, "Good riddance!"

      This phrase is used to express relief and happiness that a bothersome or undesirable person has left. In this example, the speaker is happy that the bully who used to make their life miserable has moved away, and they feel that it is a good thing. This idiom can be used in a variety of situations where someone is leaving, such as a difficult coworker or a negative influence in one's life. It can also be used figuratively to express relief over the departure of a negative situation or circumstance.

    • John's boss finally fired him after months of poor performance. Everyone in the office breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Good riddance!"

      This is a common usage of the idiom "good riddance." It means that someone was getting rid of a person, usually because they were causing problems or performing poorly. In this example, John's boss finally let him go, and the other employees rejoiced, glad to see the back of him.

    • When Sara's cheating boyfriend left her for another woman, she said, "Good riddance! I'm better off without him anyway."

      In this case, Sara is saying that she's glad her boyfriend is gone because she doesn't want him in her life anymore. She sees his departure as a positive thing, and believes that she's better off without him.

    • As Sarah's car broke down for the fifth time in a month, she muttered, "Good riddance! That car has caused me nothing but trouble."

      Sarah is expressing her frustration with her car's poor reliability. By saying "good riddance," she's indicating that she's sick and tired of the problems that her car is causing her, and would be glad to see it go away.

    • When the host of a party kicked out an obnoxious guest who was causing a scene, everyone else in the room cheered and said, "Good riddance to bad rubbish!"

      This is another variation of the "good riddance" idiom. Here, the idiom is being used to say that the guest, who was making trouble, was causing bad rubbish or negative energy in the room. By getting rid of him, the other guests were able to enjoy the party in peace.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "good riddance" is typically used to express relief or satisfaction at the departure or removal of someone or something undesirable. It can also be used to dismiss or reject someone or something as unimportant or insignificant. Overall, the phrase conveys a sense of getting rid of something or someone that is unwanted or causing trouble.

    Origin of "Good riddance"

    The origin of the phrase "good riddance" can be traced back to the 16th century, with the word "riddance" meaning "the action of getting rid of something or someone." The word "good" in this context is used to emphasize the positive nature of the removal.

    One theory suggests that the phrase originated from a common practice in medieval England, where people would say "good riddance" after throwing out their garbage or waste. This eventually evolved to be used in a figurative sense, expressing satisfaction in getting rid of something unwanted.

    Another theory suggests that the phrase may have originated from the play "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare, where the character Gratiano says "Away! with her, and pen her up!" and another character responds with "Good riddance!" This could be seen as a dismissive and sarcastic response to getting rid of someone.

    Regardless of its specific origin, the phrase "good riddance" has become a common expression in English and is used in various contexts to express satisfaction or dismissal.