be glad to see the back of (someone)

To be glad to see someone leave (usually because the speaker dislikes the person). Ed has been driving me nuts with requests, so I'll be glad to see the back of him when the construction is done on his office. I love my family, but after three weeks of traveling with them, I'm glad to see the back of them! We're glad to see the back of those neighbors with the obnoxious dog that barks at all hours!

be glad to see the back of someone or something

mainly BRITISH

COMMON If you are glad to see the back of someone or something, you are pleased that they have gone. Nick said last night that Carter was an awful man. He added: `We are glad to see the back of him.' Note: Adjectives such as pleased or happy are sometimes used instead of glad. Most politicians will be as pleased to see the back of him as the voters.

See also: back, glad, of, see, someone, something, to

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

be glad, etc. to see the ˈback of somebody/something

(informal, especially British English) be happy that you will not have to deal with or see somebody/something again because you do not like them/it: Was I pleased to see the back of her! ♢ This year’s been awful, I’ll be glad to see the back of it.

See also: back, of, see, somebody, something, to

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