put out to grass

Idioms  

1. Also, put out to pasture. Cause to retire, as in With mandatory retirement they put you out to grass at age 65, or She's not all that busy now that she's been put out to pasture. These idioms refer to farm animals sent to graze when they are no longer useful for other work.

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Example Sentences

When staff complained she was lazy and not housetrained and suggested she might be "put out to grass", a memo was issued ordering she must remain as her appointment had been so public that letting her go could result in adverse publicity.

From BBC

"Defra has long been a backwater, so at last it's not someone in charge who is being put out to grass," he said.

From BBC

In what is known as the wash-up period, the Commons and Lords will decide what bills they want to let through and which they will effectively put out to grass.

From BBC

He has been put out to grass in Hamburg, the city that played host to the 9/11 conspirators.

From New York Times

A player he has metaphorically put out to grass for the last year and a half, the Russian's touch was heavy enough he may as well have worn snow boots.

From The Guardian