English Reference
Idiom idiom

get the sack


To be dismissed from employment.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He was late every day and finally got the sack.

CONTEXTUAL

After the manager discovered that he had been stealing from the register, he immediately got the sack.

COMPLEX

Despite his long tenure at the firm, the sudden restructuring meant that many loyal employees eventually got the sack.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as it gets

    As it is possible to be.

  2. 02

    been there, done that, got the T-shirt

    Alternative form of been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

  3. 03

    can't get enough

    Greatly enjoys; likes a lot.

  4. 04

    cat got someone's tongue

    Why is someone not saying anything?

  5. 05

    could not get elected dogcatcher

    Said of someone, particularly a politician, who is extremely unpopular.

  6. 06

    don't get someone started

    Used to attempt to avoid or abbreviate a discussion that speaker or hearer may wish to avoid.

  7. 07

    five will get you ten

    I strongly believe.

  8. 08

    get a charge out of

    To derive excitement, entertainment, or pleasure from.

Last updated August 10, 2026