ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hand someone their cards

idiom
Meaning

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


Examples
SIMPLE

The manager had to hand him his cards after the store closed.

CONTEXTUAL

After the company lost its biggest client, the boss had to hand several employees their cards.

COMPLEX

The sudden downturn in the market forced the board to hand their cards to the entire marketing department without prior warning.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    back of one's hand

    A display of disrespect or scorn.

  3. 03

    bear a hand

    To make haste; to help quickly.

  4. 04

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  5. 05

    big hand

    Synonym of minute hand (on a clock face).

  6. 06

    bite someone's hand off

    To enthusiastically accept an offer.

  7. 07

    bite the hand that feeds one

    To cause harm to a benefactor (especially one that one is dependent on, thus with the idea that this behaviour is self-damaging).

  8. 08

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

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