give someone the boot

verb

To fire, sack, or eject someone.

“I am sorry for your husband and children, but I have to give you the boot.”

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Meanings

verbgive someone the boot (third-person singular simple present gives someone the boot, present participle giving someone the boot, simple past gave someone the boot, past participle given someone the boot)

present singular third person gives someone the boot · participle present giving someone the boot · past gave someone the boot · participle past given someone the boot · alternative give someone das boot

  1. UKidiomaticinformalTo fire, sack, or eject someone.

    I am sorry for your husband and children, but I have to give you the boot.

    1 more example

    They said I couldn't do the job and gave me the boot. So, now I'm looking for work again.

  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see give, the, boot.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
axediscarddischargedownsizegive someone the heave-hogive the axelay offlet gopink slipretrenchsack
Cite this entry
APA

give someone the boot. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20the%20boot

MLA

“give someone the boot.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20the%20boot. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “give someone the boot,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20the%20boot.

Source: give someone the boot on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.