get the sack: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘get the sack’ mean?
The idiom "get the sack" means to be fired or dismissed from a job. It originated from the practice of giving workers their belongings in a sack when they were fired. The sack symbolizes the loss of employment.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "pink slip" refers to the notice given to an employee to terminate their employment. It symbolizes being fired or laid off from a job.
The idiom "pink slip" is commonly used in American English to refer to a notice of termination or dismissal from a job. It is believed to have originated in the early 20th century and is still widely used today. The term "pink slip" is often associated with negative connotations and a sense of loss or failure.
The idiom "let someone go" means to allow someone to leave or end a relationship, usually in a work context, such as firing an employee or ending a romantic relationship.
The idiom "lay off" means to stop doing or using something, to stop bothering someone, or to stop employing someone, usually due to a lack of work or financial issues.
One of the most commonly used idioms in the English language is "lay off." This phrase has various meanings and can be used in different contexts, but its underlying principle is always related to stopping or ceasing an action.
The idiom "kick to the curb" means to reject or dismiss someone or something, usually in a harsh or abrupt manner.
The idiom "kick to the curb" is a common expression in American English, used primarily in colloquial speech. It is a figurative phrase that conveys the act of rejecting or dismissing someone or something in a forceful and definitive manner.
The idiom "kick the bucket" means to die or to pass away. It is a metaphorical expression that originated from the idea of someone accidentally kicking a bucket while they are hanging from a noose, resulting in their death.
The idiom "in the sack" is used to describe being in a sexual relationship with someone or to refer to engaging in sexual activity.
The idiom "go to the scaffold" means to face danger, punishment, or a potentially fatal situation. It originates from the historical practice of executing prisoners by hanging them on a scaffold. It signifies being confronted with an unavoidable and often dire consequence.
The idiom "give the sack" means to dismiss or fire someone from their job.
The idiom "get what's coming to one" means to receive the punishment or consequences that one deserves for their actions or behavior.
Unraveling Unemployment
The idiom "get the sack" has its origins in the early 19th century and is predominantly used in British English. It is of uncertain origin, but there are a few possibilities for how it became part of the language.
One theory suggests that the idiom comes from a literal practice of giving workers their belongings in a sack when they were dismissed from their jobs. In the past, workers often brought their own tools to work. When they were fired, their employer would put their tools in a sack and hand it to them. This act of handing over a sack became synonymous with being fired. This idiom is similar to the phrase "give the sack," which also means to be fired.
Another theory suggests that the idiom originates from the world of theater. In the early days of theater in England, actors were often hired for a specific performance or season. If an actor didn't perform well or was not needed anymore, their contract would not be renewed, and they would be given their pay and a sack to carry their belongings. This sack symbolized that they were no longer part of the theater company. This idiom is similar to the phrases "get the boot" and "get the chop," which both mean to be fired.
The idiom "get the sack" is not commonly used in American English. In the United States, the equivalent phrase is "get the ax," which shares a similar concept of being dismissed from a job. Another related idiom is "give someone the boot," which means to fire someone.
When someone "gets the sack," it means they have been fired or dismissed from their job. The phrase implies a sense of suddenness and often carries negative connotations. The person who "gets the sack" is usually seen as having failed in some way or not meeting expectations. Another related idiom is "pink slip," which is a written notice of termination.
While the specific origin of the idiom remains unclear, its usage has become widespread over time. It is frequently used in both informal and formal contexts, although it may be more common in informal conversations or British English. The idiom "get the sack" provides a vivid and concise way of expressing the act of being fired. Its origins may be somewhat elusive, but its usage and meaning remain firmly ingrained in the English language.
Example usage
Examples:
- After repeatedly coming late to work, John finally got the sack.
- Emma was caught stealing money from the company, so she got the sack.
- When the company downsized, several employees got the sack.
More "Work" idioms
