give someone the boot

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give someone the boot (third-person singular simple present gives someone the boot, present participle giving someone the boot, simple past gave someone the boot, past participle given someone the boot)

1. (transitive with to) (idiomatic, Britain, informal) To fire, sack, or eject someone.

   I am sorry for your husband and children, but I have to give you the boot.

   They said I couldn't do the job and gave me the boot. So, now I'm looking for work again.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see give,‎ the,‎ boot.

• See also Thesaurus:lay off