# give someone their cards

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/give-someone-their-cards
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To dismiss someone from employment; to fire or make redundant.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.