pink slip

¹ American  

noun

1. notice of dismissal from one's job.

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pink-slip ² American  

[pingk-slip] / ˈpɪŋkˈslɪp /

verb (used with object)

pink-slipped, pink-slipping

1. to dismiss from a job.

   He will be pink-slipped next month.

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pink slip British  

noun

1. informal a notice of redundancy issued to an employee

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Etymology

Origin of pink slip¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Origin of pink-slip²

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

It condemned Baltimore to a nail-biting 26-24 loss that handed the Steelers the AFC North—and Harbaugh a pink slip.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

Colbert was given a pink slip with a long tail this year.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2025

It looks like I’ll be commuting more—but for how long before I, too, get a pink slip without warning or reason?

From Slate • Feb. 3, 2025

“No Highs” is an attempt to give himself a playlist pink slip.

From New York Times • Apr. 25, 2023

She was wearing her pink slip, and it bore no blooms of blood.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor