The idiom "give someone the old heave-ho" means to dismiss or fire someone from their job or position. It can also refer to ending a romantic relationship or friendship abruptly.
You can use this idiom when someone is no longer wanted or needed in a particular situation. For example, if an employee is not performing well or is causing trouble in the workplace, their boss might give them the old heave-ho and terminate their employment. Similarly, if someone is in a relationship that is not working out, they might give their partner the old heave-ho and end the relationship.
The phrase "old heave-ho" is thought to have originated from the nautical term "heave-ho," which was used by sailors to coordinate lifting heavy objects. The phrase has since evolved to mean getting rid of something or someone unwanted.
• I had to give my old clothes the old heave-ho before moving to a new city.
• The coach gave the player the old heave-ho after he showed up to practice drunk.
• When his boss found out he was stealing, he gave him the old heave-ho from the company.
• The restaurant owner had to give the chef the old heave-ho after several customers reported food poisoning from his dishes.
• After a year of dating, she decided to give her boyfriend the old heave-ho because she felt he was not the right match for her.
• The CEO gave the underperforming department the old heave-ho and replaced them with a more efficient team.