wave (someone) off

phrasal verb

waved (someone) off; waving (someone) off; waves (someone) off

: to move one's hand as a way of telling someone that one does not want help

We offered to help but he waved us off.

Examples of wave (someone) off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mac would wave off the partygoers set to arrive in an hour or two. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 9 July 2024

Earlier this week, NASA was forced to wave off plans to remove a faulty electronics box outside the space station because a spacesuit worn by astronaut Tracy Dyson sprung a leak shortly before the spacewalk began. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 26 June 2024

Some people might wave off karaoke as a silly hobby, something to liven up boozy birthday parties and lame company events. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024

Concerns waved off Indeed, the study directors continued to wave off concerns. —Caitjan Gainty, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Jan. 2024