Definition

Noun (informal): An official notice informing someone that they are being dismissed from their job, position, or a situation; a termination notice. It implies being told to leave.

Usage

This term is used informally, often in business or organizational contexts, to refer to the act of being fired or let go. It can also be used more broadly for any official dismissal.

Examples

• The new manager gave him his walking papers after just one week.
• After the company lost the major contract, half the department got their walking papers.
• The coach received his walking papers following the team's losing season.

Advanced Usage

• To get one's walking papers: To be dismissed or fired.
  • She got her walking papers yesterday and is already looking for a new job.
• To give someone their walking papers: To dismiss or fire someone.
  • The board finally gave the CEO his walking papers.

Variants and Related Words

• Pink slip (noun, informal): A synonym for a notice of dismissal.
  • He was worried about getting a pink slip during the layoffs.
• Dismissal notice (noun, formal): The formal term for an official document terminating employment.
• The sack (noun, informal, often used with "get" or "give"): To be fired or to fire someone.
  • He got the sack for being late too often.

Synonyms

• Notice of dismissal
• Termination notice
• Pink slip (informal)
• The boot (informal)
• The axe (informal)

Related Idioms

• To be shown the door: To be asked or forced to leave.
  • After his rude comments, he was quickly shown the door.
• To get the axe: To be fired or eliminated, especially from a job or project.
  • Several underperforming projects got the axe in the budget cuts.

Noun

1. (informal) a notice of dismissal or discharge