give someone the ax, to

give (one) the ax(e)

To dismiss one from one's job; to fire one. The boss is going to give me the axe if he finds out that printing error was my fault. Management promptly gave the new accountant the ax after his miscalculation cost the company hundreds of thousands of dollars. They'll give me the axe if they ever find out I came into work drunk.

See also: give

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

give someone the ax

1. tv. to dismiss someone from employment. I was afraid they would give me the ax.

2. tv. to divorce someone. She gave him the ax because he wouldn’t stop smoking like he promised.

See also: ax, give, someone

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

give someone the ax, to

To fire someone from his or her job. See also sack; pink slip.

See also: give, someone, to

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer