shoo off
Chase away gestured
To shoo off is to drive someone or something away with gestures or sounds, typically waving hands or making sharp noises: She shooed off the stray cat.
The phrase suggests dismissing something unwanted but not dangerous—pests, children underfoot, persistent salespeople.
It carries a note of mild annoyance rather than hostility.
- dispelCause to vanish
- repelDrive off or disgust
- drive awayCause to retreat
- dismissSend away or reject
- chase awayForce to depart
scare away · drive out · clear out · wave away · send packing · eject · give the boot · show the door · scatter · get lost · beat it · cold-shoulder · turn back · oust · turn away · deter · rebuff · banish