the (old) heave-ho

noun phrase

informal

: the act of causing someone to leave a job, place, or relationship

The team's coach gave him the heave-ho for missing practices.

We got the old heave-ho when we couldn't pay the rent on our apartment.

Examples of the (old) heave-ho in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Martin, on the other hand, is straight-laced and a bit of a Debbie Downer, nursing a broken heart after being given the heave-ho by investigative journalist Joyce (Ra Chapman). — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

After nearly a century, the most famous umpire school in the country is getting the heave-ho. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026

The sad reality of getting rid of Julia, however, is that would probably mean Adriana, who is more of a fan favorite than ever, gets the heave-ho as well. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025

Most of the obscenely immense rules governing eduction should also be given the heave-ho. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda came out to argue as well and was given the heave-ho. — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025

Cheng will spend a year as a $400,000 adviser to the CSCU Board of Regents, the group that gave him the heave-ho this spring after revelations of Cheng mismanaging some of his many perks. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025

Finally, dingy, discolored, or stringy towels need to get the heave-ho. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2025