20 Best Responses to "Peace Out"

There are few slang phrases that instantly transport you back to a specific moment in cultural history quite like "Peace out." This seemingly simple farewell—often accompanied by the iconic hand gesture of a V-sign or, as the original article mentions, a double chest tap—is far more than just a quick goodbye; it’s a confident, slightly informal declaration of departure.

The phrase itself carries a fascinating history, part of the 10% focus on significance. It exploded into popular usage in the late 1980s and 1990s, evolving from the broader "Peace" greeting popularized by counterculture movements of the 60s and 70s. The added "out" turns the greeting into a definitive statement: I am signing off now. I wish you peace as I exit. Understanding this blend of history and context is the key to crafting the perfect, tailored response.

When someone drops a "Peace out," they’ve tossed the conversational ball into your court. Your job, as a skillful communicator, is to return that message with a response that matches their energy, respects the context of the situation, and clearly signals your acknowledgement. Whether you need a formal reply for an acquaintance, a heartfelt wish for a friend, or a truly smart-funny retort, we’ve broken down the 20 best ways to respond, categorized by the message you intend to send.

Category 1: The Standard & Friendly Messages (The Classic Responses)

These are the indispensable greetings that work in 80% of situations. They are safe, universally understood, and always convey goodwill.

1. Goodbye

This is the bedrock of farewell messaging. The sheer simplicity of Goodbye makes it the most versatile and functional reply. It's the linguistic equivalent of a perfectly tailored suit—it works for every occasion. Educationally, "Goodbye" is a contraction of the much older phrase, "God be with ye," making it a historical piece of linguistic tradition. When replying to "Peace out," using "Goodbye" affirms the departure without mirroring the slang, making it appropriate for colleagues, acquaintances, and friends alike. It’s the default, reliable message when you don’t want to overthink the social dynamics.

2. See you around.

This response is a fantastic choice when the departure feels temporary or localized. It sends a message that while the immediate conversation is over, the likelihood of a quick, casual run-in again soon is high. Think of a large campus, a company office, or a local neighborhood gathering. The conversational context dictates its use: the speaker may be saying "Peace out" to leave a specific room, but not necessarily the building. Using See you around is a warm, personal message that subtly communicates, "This isn't a final parting, just a quick pause in our proximity." It carries an optimistic, low-stakes tone that contrasts nicely with the definitive "out" in the original phrase.

3. Have a good day.

This is a highly versatile and positive message. While similar to "Goodbye," Have a good day focuses the message entirely on the departing person's immediate future. It’s a polite wish that shifts the emphasis from the act of leaving to the activities that follow. This response is great when dealing with people you won't see again for the rest of the current day—perhaps a coworker at 5 PM or a casual friend you met for lunch. Educationally, it serves as a common conversational sign-off (a tradition) in many English-speaking cultures, making it an excellent, slightly formal response to the informal "Peace out."

4. Till we meet again.

This phrase carries a beautiful, formal weight that harks back to classic literature and grander goodbyes. It's the sophisticated, slightly romantic cousin of "See you later." The original article noted its similarity to the Spanish Hasta Luego, highlighting its global tradition as a hopeful, indefinite farewell. You should primarily use Till we meet again when you genuinely don't know when the next encounter will be, such as with a distant acquaintance, a mentor, or someone moving away. It creates a message of enduring goodwill and respect, which can feel smart-funny when used exaggeratedly with a close friend who is just heading to the store.

5. I’ll give you a call.

This response is a commitment message. It acknowledges the departure while instantly shifting the conversational focus to the next scheduled interaction. I’ll give you a call tells the speaker that their departure is understood and accepted, but the conversation is merely being relocated. This is perfect for personal, close-knit messaging when you need to follow up on a specific subject or just check in later. It’s a responsible, caring, and practical reply, reassuring the departing person that they haven't been forgotten.

Category 2: The Interventional & Questioning Messages (The Hold-Ups)

Sometimes the context of the "Peace out" means the person is leaving too early, or you need more information. These responses are designed to pause the exit or elicit further conversation. This is where your personal conversational style shines.

6. Are you leaving already?

This is a fantastic, conversational retort for moments when the departure feels abrupt or premature. The message here isn't a true farewell; it's a gentle challenge or an expression of mild surprise. It suggests that you were enjoying the interaction and were not expecting it to end so soon. Are you leaving already? works best with friends or colleagues where you can afford a personal, slightly playful tone. It serves as a nice check on the speaker, inviting them to explain their rush or, if you're lucky, persuade them to stay for a few more minutes.

7. Hold on.

Pure and simple, Hold on is a demand for a brief, immediate pause. It’s not a farewell message at all; it’s an urgent request to delay the act of leaving. This response is critical if you suddenly remember a crucial detail, a forgotten item, or need to ask a quick, essential question that determines the next step. Educational context: This phrase implies an immediate, small window of time (just a moment) as opposed to "Wait," which suggests an indefinite delay. This direct, interventional messaging is useful when maintaining control of the communication flow.

8. When will you be back?

A deeply personal and functional question, When will you be back? is highly dependent on the relationship and the setting. This message expresses a reliance on the speaker's return—whether for emotional reasons (a loved one) or logistical reasons (a coworker needed for a task). As the original text wisely notes, this reply can be awkward with an acquaintance. It’s a great response for partners, family members, or close cohabitants, conveying a personal message of anticipation and shared responsibility.

9. You’re still needed here.

This message is firm and direct, communicating that the speaker's value to the current conversation or activity is non-negotiable. You’re still needed here works well in a team environment, a group discussion, or any organized activity where the person's participation is key. It’s a smart and concise way to communicate the urgency of the situation, often forcing the speaker to acknowledge why their "Peace out" cannot be honored immediately. The response directly contradicts the speaker’s intention to exit.

10. Where are you heading to?

A fundamental information-gathering response. Where are you heading to? is the perfect conversational bridge when the "Peace out" feels vague. It demonstrates immediate interest in the speaker's plans and is often a prerequisite to offering an appropriate farewell wish (e.g., you can't wish them a good trip if you don't know they are traveling). It is a genuinely personal message that shows you care about their next steps, justifying why you are delaying their exit for a moment.

Category 3: The Witty & Funny Messages (The Smart-Funny Retorts)

This category represents the 20% smart-funny tone that adds flavor and personality to the exchange. These are messages reserved exclusively for close friends and those who share your sense of humor.

11. Don’t get hit by a bus.

This is a classic piece of dark, smart-funny humor often used in personal messaging between close friends. Don’t get hit by a bus is the ultimate expression of care delivered through playful sarcasm. It takes the typical "stay safe" message and exaggerates the potential danger to an absurd degree, communicating the wish for safety while maintaining a casual, witty tone. Its effectiveness lies entirely in the shared personal context—if said to a stranger, it would sound deeply strange, but to a close friend, it’s a standard, loving farewell tradition.

12. Good to see you go.

If used correctly, Good to see you go is a brilliant piece of irony. It’s funny only when the recipient knows you are happy to have seen them and are not genuinely happy they are leaving. It creates an entertaining dynamic where the message is the opposite of the truth. Use this with a massive grin and a playful tone to send a personal message of mock exasperation. If there is a genuine grudge, however, it loses the humor and becomes a sharp, honest jab.

13. See you on the other side.

This is the ultimate smart-funny farewell, tapping into a light-hearted, existential joke. See you on the other side is typically a dramatic phrase used to acknowledge an arduous journey or a serious final parting, but in this context, it humorously equates leaving the room with facing one's mortality. It works because it’s so absurdly exaggerated for a mundane departure. This is a brilliant reply for close friends, maintaining an educational slant by referencing the tradition of dramatic farewells while subverting it for comedic effect.

14. No peace for the haters.

This response is rooted in 90s slang tradition and requires the recipient to be familiar with the casual, self-referential nature of the phrase. No peace for the haters is a fun, slightly self-aggrandizing message that turns the original "Peace out" (wishing peace) into a statement of exclusion. When used between friends, it’s a quick, light-hearted jab that maintains the informal, slangy tone of the original greeting. It requires a relationship where both parties understand the mutual appreciation despite the mock opposition implied in the word "haters."

15. Hit the road.

While technically just an informal dismissal, Hit the road carries a funny, slightly imperative tone when used as a response to "Peace out." It echoes the original slangy style and functions as an enthusiastic acceptance of the departure. It’s an encouraging message: Yes, you should go, you have things to do! The phrase itself has a historical tradition of meaning "to travel," often referring to the long, dusty roads of earlier transportation eras. Using it today is a conversational, smart way to say, "Go on, get moving."

Category 4: The Wishing & Practical Messages (The Support System)

These replies acknowledge the departure while offering a supportive message or a practical instruction for the journey. This entire category is a personalized greeting of goodwill (80% focus).

16. Safe journey!

A classic, simple, and sincere message. Safe journey! is appropriate when the speaker is clearly embarking on a long trip—a road trip, a flight, or even just a long commute. It’s the essential personal message of care for their physical well-being during travel. Using it jokingly (as the original suggests) to a friend who is only going down the street creates a smart-funny moment, highlighting the low stakes of their exit. This is a traditional farewell wish across many cultures, always demonstrating care and concern.

17. Be back early.

This is a directive and a hopeful personal message rolled into one. Be back early communicates an anticipation of the speaker's return and, implicitly, a preference for their presence. It suggests a shared space (home, office, or long-term hangout spot) and a shared schedule. This response is primarily reserved for people with whom you have a close bond (family, roommates, partners), as it implies a gentle, caring authority or reliance on their return.

18. Let me know when you get home.

This is perhaps the most caring and practical personal message on the entire list. Let me know when you get home is a modern communication tradition that emphasizes safety and connection. It’s a direct message requesting a follow-up confirmation, signaling deep concern for the departing person’s welfare until they reach a safe location. This message is primarily reserved for younger people, loved ones, or anyone traveling alone late at night. It bypasses the slang of "Peace out" with a serious, heartfelt instruction.

19. I have to go too.

This reply is not a direct response to "Peace out," but an announcement that shifts the entire conversational dynamic. I have to go too turns the two individuals from conversational partners into co-departures. This message is useful when you want to signal that the interaction has naturally concluded and you are using the speaker's exit as your cue to leave as well. It’s a practical, often necessary reply in a group setting, allowing both parties to make a coordinated, less awkward exit.

20. Extend my regards.

This is a formal, polite, and respectful message that is highly specific to the context of the speaker’s destination. Extend my regards turns the departing person into an ambassador of goodwill. This response works only when you know the speaker is going to see a specific friend or family member whom you also know well. It’s a lovely, traditional formality that communicates the importance of maintaining social ties, sending a personal message of recognition to a third party through the speaker.

Wrap Up

The phrase "Peace out" is a definitive, casual declaration of departure rooted in decades of cultural slang tradition. When faced with this exit greeting, your response choice is a powerful act of communication. It depends entirely on the tone of the speaker (abrupt, joking, sincere) and your relationship (close, professional, casual).

The best messages range from the simple, grammatical surety of Goodbye to the personal, funny retort of Don’t get hit by a bus. By mastering these responses, you are not just saying farewell; you are managing the conversational messaging, injecting your unique personal tone, and ensuring every sign-off is as smooth and stylish as the "Peace out" itself.