to give the gate

9.9

To end a relationship or job suddenly and harshly

phrasal verb

: dar la patada

After years of disagreements, she finally gave the gate to her business partner.

Examples

The coach gave the gate to several players after the disappointing season.
She gave the gate to her boyfriend last week.
When he found out about the betrayal, he didn't hesitate to give the gate.
Don't give the gate to him!
After years of disagreements, she finally gave the gate to her business partner.
The coach gave the gate to several players after the disappointing season.
She gave the gate to her boyfriend without any warning.

Synonyms

to dump

vsto give the gate

Informal

501 5.1

To end a romantic relationship suddenly and without care

is equally sudden but can apply to jobs as well as relationships

to break with

vsto give the gate

23 4.1

End a relationship with someone or something in a clear, final way

is more abrupt and harsher than a formal or planned break

to give (someone) the boot

vsto give the gate

Informal

12 7.4

To stop someone from working at their job, usually because of bad work or behavior

is focused on a sudden, often harsh breakup beyond job removal

to kick someone to the curb

vsto give the gate

Informal

12 9.4

Suddenly stop seeing or talking to someone

is similar but tends to feel more blunt or legally final

to send packing

vsto give the gate

Informal

8 6.5

To make someone leave quickly to show they are not wanted

is the same sudden rejection but with extra harshness implied

to kick to the curb

vsto give the gate

Informal

7 8.6

Get rid of someone or something you no longer want

is more about a harsh severing of ties rather than mere discarding

to show the door

vsto give the gate

Informal

6 6.7

Tell someone to leave a place firmly

is more about ending a relationship abruptly rather than just leaving

to show someone the door

vsto give the gate

Informal

5 6.4

Tell someone to leave a place in a rude or angry way

is similar but often applies to ending ties abruptly outside places

to give the heave-ho

vsto give the gate

Informal

4 8.5

To tell someone to leave their job or to stop using something

is similar but stresses a harsher, more abrupt dismissal

to send someone packing

vsto give the gate

Informal

4 7.9

Make someone leave quickly and forcefully

is similar but often implies a more personal or harsh end

to kick-out

vsto give the gate

1 4.0

To force someone to leave a place, group or job

is similar but stresses ending a relationship rather than physical removal

to give the axe

vsto give the gate

7.4

To suddenly end someone's job or a relationship, often without warning

is a sudden and often harsh termination rather than a calm end

to give the bounce

vsto give the gate

9.7

End someone's job or relationship suddenly and without warning

is equally abrupt but often feels harsher or more final

to give the elbow

vsto give the gate

9.0

To end a relationship or stop someone from working for you

is equally dismissive but usually harsher and more abrupt in tone

to hand someone their cards

vsto give the gate

Informal

9.3

To tell someone they have lost their job or show the truth about their situation

is strictly about abrupt dismissal without the revealing sense

to give the mitten

vsto give the gate

Archaic

9.9

To end a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend

is broader and harsher, applying to jobs and other ties too

Antonyms

to accept

793 1.0

To take something someone offers, for example a gift or invitation

to welcome

583 1.0

Greet someone in a friendly way when they arrive

How Abrupt

to give the gate

9.9

to sack

37 3.5

to give (someone) the boot

Informal

12 7.4

to let go

852 3.8

to dismiss

70 3.3

Surface Forms

give the gate infinitive

giving the gate present participle

gives the gate third person singular

gave the gate past

given the gate past participle

Morphology

give + the + gate

The sense 'to dismiss someone abruptly' is not transparently derived from the literal meanings of 'give' and 'gate' — giving a gate does not conventionally denote ending a relationship. This is an idiomatic/dialectal phrasing (similar in function to 'show someone the door' but not compositionally predictable), so a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words would not reliably infer the meaning.

Etymology

Give the gate comes from the image of showing someone to the gate, as if you point them to the exit and send them away. So it now means 'to dismiss someone' or 'to end a relationship' suddenly and often harshly.