The colloquial phrase "give someone the gate" means to dismiss or fire someone. The word "gate" is spelled with a long "a" sound, as in "ɡeɪt". This is to differentiate it from the similar-sounding word "gait", which is pronounced with a short "a" sound, as in "ɡeɪt". The phrase likely originates from the literal sense of being shown the gate, or exit, from a property, indicating that the person is no longer welcome or allowed to stay.
The phrase "give someone the gate" is an idiomatic expression that originated in informal usage, primarily in North America, and it carries a negative connotation. It refers to the act of terminating or dismissing someone from their job, position, or relationship, usually due to poor performance, disloyalty, or any other valid reason. It implies a sense of rejection and exclusion, signaling the abrupt end of one's involvement or association with a specific entity or situation.
When someone is given the gate, it typically involves a definitive and irrevocable decision on the part of the authority figure or employer. It is often accompanied by actions such as revoking privileges, access rights, or any kind of involvement in their previous role or responsibilities. The phrase can be used interchangeably with phrases like "dismiss someone," "fire someone," or "let someone go."
Figuratively, giving someone the gate can also be applied to personal relationships wherein someone is expelled or abandoned by their partner or social circle, signifying the termination of their involvement in that particular association. It denotes a sense of rejection and exclusion from a group or community.
Overall, "give someone the gate" is an idiomatic expression that conveys the abrupt and definitive dismissal or rejection of an individual from their role, position, or relationship due to various reasons, thereby ending their involvement or association.