Definition

Verb (informal, idiomatic): 1. To dismiss or terminate someone from a job or position abruptly. 2. To end a romantic or personal relationship suddenly and decisively.

Usage

This is an informal, idiomatic phrasal verb. It is used to describe the act of ending something, especially a job or a relationship, in a sudden and often unceremonious manner. The subject is the person who does the terminating, and the object is the person who is terminated.

Examples

• The new manager gave half the sales team the bounce in his first week.
• After years of poor performance, the company finally gave him the bounce.
• She found out he was lying and gave him the bounce immediately.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies a lack of warning or a final, decisive action. It can carry a slightly harsh or unsympathetic tone.
• While commonly used for employment and romantic contexts, it can be applied to ending any association, such as a membership or a business partnership.
• The structure is fixed: .

Variants and Related Words

• Give someone the axe/sack (idiom, verb): Has the same meaning as "give the bounce." ("The board gave the CEO the axe.")
• Fire (verb): A more standard, direct synonym for dismissing from a job.
• Dump (verb, informal): A common synonym for ending a romantic relationship.

Synonyms

• Dismiss
• Terminate
• Fire
• Sack (UK informal)
• Dump (for relationships)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bounce out (verb, informal): To eject or force someone to leave a place. ("The bouncer bounced him out of the club.")
• Let someone go (verb phrase): A more euphemistic way to say to dismiss someone from a job.

Related Idioms

• Get the bounce/axe/sack (idiom, verb): To be the one who is dismissed or rejected. This is the passive perspective. ("He got the bounce after the merger.")
• Show someone the door (idiom): To ask or tell someone to leave.

Verb

1. terminate a relationship abruptly
   • Mary gave John the axe after she saw him with another woman