HANDS WALKING PAPERS Meaning and
Definition
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"Handing someone walking papers" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of terminating or dismissing someone from their job, typically through a formal written notice or letter of termination. The phrase originates from the symbolic act of an employer handing an employee a document indicating the end of their employment, which serves as an official notice that the individual is being let go.
The term "walking papers" carries a sense of finality, indicating that the person is required to leave the premises immediately or within a specified period of time. It can also imply that the employee is no longer wanted or needed by the organization, often due to poor performance, organizational restructuring, financial constraints, or other reasons deemed detrimental to the individual's continued employment.
This expression portrays a sense of authority and power held by the employer, as they hold the ability to terminate an individual's livelihood. It also highlights the consequential impact on the person's professional and personal life, as losing one's job can lead to financial instability, uncertainty, and the need to seek new employment opportunities.
Overall, "handing someone walking papers" signifies the formal act of terminating employment and serves as a metaphorical representation of the end of a working relationship between an employer and an employee.
