Give someone the sack


verb phrase

To dismiss someone; terminate employment

[1825+; origin uncertain; the phrase donner son sac, ”to give him his sack,” has been current in French since the 1600s; sack may be ”traveling bag, bindle”]

Read Also:

  • Give someone the shaft

    verb phrase To swindle, maltreat, or otherwise deal punishingly with someone; fuck, shaft: He wasn’t expecting much praise, but he sure didn’t think they’d give him the shaft like that (1940s+)

  • Give someone the shake

    verb phrase To rid oneself of someone; get away from someone: He gave the cops the shake a block or so away/ I’ve been expecting Tish to give you the shuck (1940s+)

  • Give someone the shakes

    verb phrase To instill fear and trembling; intimidate: he’s being paid $5.4 million by the New York Yankees to give opposing batters the shakes [1940s+; the shakes, ”a fit of trembling fear,” is found by 1837]

  • Give someone the works

    verb phrase To mistreat or beat severely; clobber, WORK someone OVER: They took him into the adjoining room and gave him the works (1920+) Related Terms the works

  • Give someone up

    verb phrase To turn someone in to the authorities; to betray: gave him up to the cops


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