Definition of "send-off"

A send-off occurs when a player commits a serious violation and is ordered by the referee to leave the field for the rest of the game.

2009, Mathew Brown, Patrick Guthrie, Greg Growden, Rugby For Dummies, page 333

Some of the players tried to heavy or sweet-talk the referee into reversing his decision, even as the threat of a send-off loomed.

2009, Shireen Lolesi, Wives and Girlfriends, page 12

Dally had a running battle with the referee, who accused him of kneeing an opponent — though, given a punch was enough to earn a send-off, perhaps the official was unsure of what he saw as Dally was not asked to leave the field.

2011, Sean Fagan, Dally Messenger III, The Master

The last regular steam-hauled passenger train between Glasgow and Helensburgh Central was given a fitting send-off from Queen Street Low Level at 11.2 p.m. on Friday, November 4.

1960 December, “The Glasgow Suburban Electrification is opened”, in Trains Illustrated, page 712

A great send-off at the station for Stanley.

1988, Charles Rey, Neil Parsons, Michael Crowder, Monarch of All I Survey: Bechuanaland Diaries, 1929-1937, page 180

The medicine man gave the faithful animal a proper send-off into its next spiritual world.

2000, Chris Kiana, Alaska Crying Baby

You say: you should have seen it, you should have seen the send-off, the cheering crowds following us to the train, everyone joyful, clapping and shouting, cheering us on, it was like a festival to the triumphant sound of the Marseillaise.

2011, Philippe Besson, In The Absence Of Men

In that coast of send-offs and farewells, how did one more send-off matter?

2012, Binoo K. John, The Last Song Of Savio De Souza

Now that he had given her the cheque from Sir John they could be a little more relaxed about giving Harry the send-off he merited.

2014, Mark Robertson, Off Key, page 314