The phrase "gave his walking papers" means to dismiss or fire someone from a job. The spelling of this phrase includes some challenging sounds, such as the voiced velar fricative /ɡ/, the voiced palato-alveolar affricate /dʒ/, the voiceless glottal fricative /h/, and the voiced alveolar stop /d/. Additionally, the vowel in "walking" is pronounced as the diphthong /ɔ/ followed by /kɪŋ/. The IPA transcription of this phrase is /ɡeɪv hɪz ˈwɔkɪŋ ˈpeɪpərz/.
To "give someone their walking papers" means to terminate or dismiss someone from their employment or position. It is an idiomatic expression that refers to handing someone a literal written notice stating that their services are no longer required or that they are being let go.
The phrase "gave his walking papers" originates from a time when employees in certain professions were issued literal papers instructing them to leave their workplace immediately. These papers often had a formal tone and stated the reason for the termination. The reference to "walking" implies that the individual is expected to physically leave the premises immediately after receiving the notice, hence the phrase.
Giving someone their walking papers is typically done in situations where an employee's performance is deemed inadequate, if they have disobeyed company policies or rules, or when there is a need for downsizing or restructuring within the organization. It signifies the end of the employer-employee relationship and usually implies that there is no possibility of further employment or rehire.
The phrase carries a somewhat negative connotation, as it implies a sudden and unexpected dismissal. It may evoke feelings of disappointment, rejection, or uncertainty for the individual who receives their walking papers, as it means they need to quickly find a new job or source of income.