Meaning

Send packing

Categorised in: 135 Phrases coined by William Shakespeare

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Send him packing'?

Send away ignominiously.

Woe is me
Woe is me - caption

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Send him packing’?

From Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I, 1596:

FALSTAFF: ‘Faith, and I’ll send him packing.

Historical trend

“Send packing” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1820–2020).

18201840186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • Send packing