give the axe

give the axe
    v 1: terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or
         position; "The boss fired his secretary today"; "The
         company terminated 25% of its workers" [syn: {displace},
         {fire}, {give notice}, {can}, {dismiss}, {give the axe},
         {send away}, {sack}, {force out}, {give the sack},
         {terminate}] [ant: {employ}, {engage}, {hire}]
    2: terminate a relationship abruptly; "Mary gave John the axe
       after she saw him with another woman" [syn: {give the axe},
       {give the bounce}, {give the gate}]