give somebody their walking papers

give (one) (one's) walking papers

To dismiss one from employment; to order one to leave or move on from a place. After messing up that account, I'm terrified that my boss is going to give me my walking papers. Bill had been living in his parents' house for nearly a year without working when they finally gave him his walking papers out of there.See also: give, paper, walking

give somebody their ˈwalking papers

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get your ˈwalking papers

(American English, informal) dismiss somebody from their job; be dismissed: The coach has been given his walking papers after the team lost again on Saturday.See also: give, paper, somebody, walking