verb
can
To dismiss someone from a job.
The company may can workers who repeatedly miss shifts.
Etymology
The dismissing sense extends the verb for putting something into a can, especially a refuse can. To can a worker figuratively treats that person as something being discarded.
More examples
- They canned him for stealing.
- She worries the new manager will can her.
- He was canned without warning.
Forms
can · cans · canned · canning
Similar words
- fire
- The usual informal verb for dismissing an employee.