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

Lief, who received a pink slip in February — it later was rescinded — said “it would be impossible not to worry about” the possibility of layoffs.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025

The trek to the boss’s office, the tense stares across the desk, the awkward mix of praise and criticism—and the potential for a promotion or a pink slip when it is all over.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 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

While Lorne Michaels was pondering how to pass a pink slip to the Muppets, UK network ATV happened to ask Henson if he wanted his own show.

From Salon • Aug. 30, 2021

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

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor