walking papers
Americanplural noun
plural noun
Etymology
Origin of walking papers
An Americanism dating back to 1815–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While Wray resigned before he could be booted from the position, reports indicate Trump wasn't satisfied with just the top man's walking papers.
From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2025
Having been handed his walking papers by the White House, Mr. O’Neill rejected the suggestion that he should say publicly that he wanted to return to private life.
From New York Times ● Apr. 18, 2020
We’re a week away from Black Monday, the NFL’s annual flurry of head coaches being given their walking papers.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 23, 2019
Now-former Baltimore Raven Jordan Lasley got his walking papers Wednesday after a crazy week that included fighting with teammates, scoring a touchdown and inexplicably throwing a football into a pond.
From Fox News ● Aug. 2, 2019
If the Great Northern don't appreciate the wise, wide-awake common sense that saw the difference between three old box cars and eleven precious human lives, I'll take my walking papers instanter.
From Ralph in the Switch Tower by Chapman, Allen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
