be glad to see the back of (something)

To be glad to be rid of or finished with something, especially an unwanted or burdensome task or obligation. Yeah, I'll be glad to see the back of this diet. Thankfully it's just another three weeks until the wedding! Thank goodness the audit's over—we're all glad to see the back of it! While I'm glad to see the back of that report, I can't get too excited because I know I'll have to deal with it again next quarter.

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

See also: