walking papers

plural noun

Informal.

1. a notification of dismissal.

walking papers

plural noun

1. slang,  notice of dismissal

Word History and Origins

Origin of walking papers¹

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Idioms and Phrases

A dismissal, as in They're downsizing, and I got my walking papers last week. This slangy expression, first recorded in 1835, refers to a written notice of dismissal.

Example Sentences

ABC News senior coorespondent Terry Moran has officially been given his walking papers, several days after the network suspended him for a social media post that was critical of Donald Trump and Stephen Miller.

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The White House has denied any plans to give the former Fox News host his walking papers.

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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.

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“The exchange from this board member only proves my point. The entire board and then Mr. DeJoy should be handed their walking papers. Their unquestioning support for this postmaster general is unacceptable,” he said.

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In seeking to right the ship by publicly distancing himself from the president’s expressed desire to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy troops in America’s cities, Mr. Esper practically signed his own walking papers.

Read more on New York Times