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
Even activities meant to celebrate certain groups are getting the heave-ho.
—
Emily Peck, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
Charleson used to joke that she wasn’t received with open arms by many of the cast and crew, who were upset that her predecessor was given the heave-ho.
—Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 12 Jan. 2025
Finally, dingy, discolored, or stringy towels need to get the heave-ho.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2025
Rosario Dawson brings gravitas to the role of former Jedi Ahsoka Tano, who teams up with her rule breaker of an apprentice, Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), to give the heave-ho to the in-the-shadows Grand Admiral Thrawn and his ardent followers.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024
Harmon gave Nolte the heave-ho and Masariu escorted the still-enraged, still-muttering coach off the court, toward the locker room.
—The Indianapolis Star, 12 Jan. 2024
Home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman gave Francona the heave-ho after Cleveland’s skipper turned around and said something to third base umpire Malachi Moore.
—Joe Noga, cleveland, 5 Aug. 2023
As Democrats gave a handful of centrists the heave-ho, Republicans rejected some of their more strident MAGA candidates.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 21 June 2023
Now, there is no shortage of briefs laying out the statutory and constitutional arguments for giving Grutter the old heave-ho.
—William McGurn, WSJ, 31 Oct. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Emily Peck, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
Charleson used to joke that she wasn’t received with open arms by many of the cast and crew, who were upset that her predecessor was given the heave-ho.
—Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 12 Jan. 2025
Finally, dingy, discolored, or stringy towels need to get the heave-ho.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2025
Rosario Dawson brings gravitas to the role of former Jedi Ahsoka Tano, who teams up with her rule breaker of an apprentice, Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), to give the heave-ho to the in-the-shadows Grand Admiral Thrawn and his ardent followers.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024
Harmon gave Nolte the heave-ho and Masariu escorted the still-enraged, still-muttering coach off the court, toward the locker room.
—The Indianapolis Star, 12 Jan. 2024
Home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman gave Francona the heave-ho after Cleveland’s skipper turned around and said something to third base umpire Malachi Moore.
—Joe Noga, cleveland, 5 Aug. 2023
As Democrats gave a handful of centrists the heave-ho, Republicans rejected some of their more strident MAGA candidates.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 21 June 2023
Now, there is no shortage of briefs laying out the statutory and constitutional arguments for giving Grutter the old heave-ho.
—William McGurn, WSJ, 31 Oct. 2022
Cite this Entry
“The (old) heave-ho.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20%28old%29%20heave-ho. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share