give the elbow

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give the elbow (third-person singular simple present gives the elbow, present participle giving the elbow, simple past gave the elbow, past participle given the elbow)

1. (transitive, slang, Britain) To fire (an employee); to end a relationship with someone; to reject someone.

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

   When are you finally going to give your boyfriend the elbow?

• elbow out / aside / out of the way
• fire
• sack
• See also Thesaurus:lay off