Phrase guide

give someone the heave-ho

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To fire, expel or break up with someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, idiomatic

Examples

  • I'm looking for work again because they gave me the heave-ho.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To eject a player or manager from the game.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, baseball, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.