hand 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 manager had to hand him his cards after the store closed.”
“After the company lost its biggest client, the boss had to hand several employees their cards.”
“The sudden downturn in the market forced the board to hand their cards to the entire marketing department without prior warning.”
- 01
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 02
back of one's hand
A display of disrespect or scorn.
- 03
bear a hand
To make haste; to help quickly.
- 04
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 05
big hand
Synonym of minute hand (on a clock face).
- 06
bite someone's hand off
To enthusiastically accept an offer.
- 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).
- 08
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
Last updated August 10, 2026