give someone their cards
To dismiss someone from employment; to fire or make redundant.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The boss had to give him his cards after the project failed.”
“After the company lost its biggest client, the manager had to give several employees their cards.”
“Following the sudden restructuring of the department, the director was forced to give his most loyal staff their cards.”
- 01
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 02
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 03
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
- 04
bring someone to their knees
To defeat and make submit to orders.
- 05
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 06
call someone everything but a child of God
To call someone many abusive names.
- 07
catch someone napping
To take advantage of someone's inattention.
- 08
cry someone a river
To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.
Last updated August 10, 2026