(one's) handshake is (one's) word
When one promises or agrees to something and shakes another person's hand, one is morally obliged to upholding that pledge. A: "So, $500, like we agreed?" B: "Of course, my handshake is my word." Hey, you can't back out now. We shook on it, and your handshake is your word! Tom's handshake is his word, so if he said he'd be over first thing in the morning to sign the papers, he will be.
golden handshake
A large severance package given to an executive who leaves a company due to termination, corporate restructuring, or retirement. The company's vice president received a $500,000 golden handshake after being pressured to leave his position. I don't care if they offer me a golden handshake—I refuse to give those young kids in HR the satisfaction of retiring! If you're going to force me to eliminate that longstanding department, then I insist we give each employee a golden handshake.
on a handshake
Of an agreement, informally or unofficially, as opposed to officially, in writing, etc. They agreed to giving me a pay raise on a handshake, but six months later I have yet to see a dime of that. Investigating the shady deals has been difficult as many were done on a handshake, so there is very little in the way of a paper trail to follow.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
golden handshake
Generous severance pay to an employee, often as an incentive for early retirement. For example, With a dwindling school population, the town decided to offer golden handshakes to some of the teachers . This slangy business term dates from the mid-1900s. A close relative is golden parachute, a generous severance agreement for an executive in the event of sudden dismissal owing to a merger or similar circumstance. This expression first appeared about 1980.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
a golden handshake
1. A golden handshake is a large amount of money that someone is given if they are asked to leave a job before the normal age when they would leave. She offered me a golden handshake to get me to leave quietly, which I did.
2. A golden handshake is a large amount of money that a company gives to an employee when he or she leaves, as a reward for long service or good work. The officer retired with a golden handshake and a pension.
on a handshake
If an agreement or contract is made on a handshake, it is agreed between people but not written down. Our business is all done on a handshake. The White Star line, it seems, went about its business in a curious way, with contracts agreed on a handshake.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
a golden handshake
a sum of money paid by an employer to a retiring or redundant employee. On the same principle, the phrase a golden hello was coined in the late 20th century. It is explained in an Appointments section of the New Scientist in 1998 : ‘Employers…especially in the financial sector, are offering “golden hellos”. These are advances of up to £2000, sometimes given on acceptance of a job offer or with the first month's salary.’
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
a golden ˈhandshake
a large sum of money given to somebody when they leave their job, or to persuade them to leave their job: The directors will each get a large golden handshake and a pension.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017