ENGLISH
REFERENCE

golden handshake

idiom
Meaning

A generous severance payment, especially as an inducement to leave employment.


Examples
SIMPLE

The manager left with a large golden handshake.

CONTEXTUAL

After thirty years of service, the company gave the executive a generous golden handshake to encourage his early retirement.

COMPLEX

The board of directors approved a substantial golden handshake for the departing CEO, a move that sparked significant controversy among the company's shareholders.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    golden age

    A period of happiness, peace, prosperity, and great progress.

  2. 02

    golden goose

    Something that generates much profit or gives great advantages.

  3. 03

    golden handcuffs

    Any arrangement or agreement designed to provide extremely favorable benefits or pay, so as to discourage a participant from choosing to leave it, especially to retain a choice employee in a role that is unpleasant to them.

  4. 04

    golden hello

    A payment offered to an employee as an inducement to join, especially if currently working for a competitor.

  5. 05

    golden mean

    A position of balance between excess and deficiency.

  6. 06

    golden opportunity

    Ideal moment to do something.

  7. 07

    golden parachute

    An agreement between a company and an employee, usually an executive, specifying that the employee will receive certain significant benefits if employment is terminated.

  8. 08

    golden rule

    A fundamental rule or principle.

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