to offer congratulations
- phrasal verb
- Formal
- Tim, I offer congratulations and big props for one of the most thoroughly and persuasively researched pieces of blog I've read almost anywhere at any time.
Examples
-
After the match, the coach took a moment to offer congratulations to the players for their hard work.
-
The ceremony was over before she knew it, and family and friends were crowding around them to offer congratulations.
Fiction book (1996) -
People kept coming up and offering congratulations.
Fiction book (1995) -
It feels weird to be offering congratulations to you, Mike.
-
I smiled happily and offered congratulations.
Fiction book (1991) -
"That's lovely!" They crowded around Ilya and me, offering congratulations.
Fiction book (1993) -
Has he already offered congratulations by way of grinding teeth and/or barely veiled threats?
Blog text (27) -
The next day, members of the maternal grandmother's family join her to offer congratulations on the birth, bringing baskets of bean noodles, eggs, diapers, and other gifts to the new father.
Academic text (1998) -
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to offer congratulations to the confectioners at Just Born Incorporated, as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of their most recognized and celebrated products, not to mention my daughter's favorite, Marshmallow Peeps.
-
At the award ceremony, everyone gathered to offer congratulations to the winner of the scholarship.
Synonyms
To shout to show support for someone or something
To tell a person that you admire or approve of them
To tell someone you are happy about their success or good news
To praise someone in public for something they did
To show praise in public for a person or idea
To welcome or praise someone publicly and enthusiastically
To say something nice about someone or their work
To praise someone or something for good work
To praise someone in public with great excitement for their success
To praise someone publicly in a formal way
Say strong good things about someone or something in public
To say very good things about someone, often in public
To congratulate someone on a success or special occasion
Antonyms
How Enthusiastic
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and transparently built from 'offer' (to present or give) plus 'congratulations' (words of praise); a B1 learner who knows both words can infer that it means to express praise or good wishes. This verb + noun composition is a common, literal pattern across many languages and follows standard English usage, so it should be immediately comprehensible.
Etymology
The phrase offer congratulations comes from the simple image of giving something to someone: you offer a small gift or a handshake while saying congratulations. So, it means 'to say you are happy for someone' after their success or good news.