to get the bullet

1 8.9

To lose a job suddenly because of a mistake or problem

idiom

Informal

: ser despedido

After the company's latest round of layoffs, many employees were worried they might get the bullet next.

Examples

Sarah was relieved she didn't get the bullet when the team was downsized unexpectedly.
When the manager announced the new policy, I felt I might get the bullet for my mistakes.
After the company restructuring, several employees got the bullet and had to look for new jobs.
He knew he'd get the bullet if he made another serious mistake at work.
When the project failed, the entire team feared they might get the bullet.
He got the bullet after the merger.
Don't worry, you won't get the bullet this time!

Synonyms

to let go

vsto get the bullet

46 3.8

To stop employing someone so they lose their job

is harsher and can imply abrupt or final loss

to boot out

vsto get the bullet

Informal

20 5.8

Force someone to leave a job or organization suddenly

is broader, including losing opportunities as well as jobs

to get the sack

vsto get the bullet

3 4.8

Lose your job because your employer fires you

is used more broadly for abrupt loss or firing

to get the chop

vsto get the bullet

1 8.6

Lose your job, often suddenly

includes sudden firing but also abrupt loss of opportunity

to give the axe

vsto get the bullet

1 7.4

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

emphasizes decisive ending more than general abrupt loss

to sack someone

vsto get the bullet

4.8

To stop employing someone, often suddenly as punishment

focuses on being dismissed rather than the act of dismissing

Antonyms

to hire

∞ 1.4

To give someone a job and pay them for their work

to seize the opportunity

12 3.9

Act quickly to use a good chance

How Dismissed

to get the bullet

Informal

1 8.9

to terminate

Formal

67 5.5

fired

30 2.2

to let go

46 3.8

laid-off

9 4.0

Surface Forms

get the bullet infinitive

getting the bullet present participle

gets the bullet third person singular

got the bullet past

got the bullet past participle

Morphology

get + the + bullet

The meaning 'to be dismissed or fired' cannot be derived from the literal constituents: 'get' (obtain/undergo) plus 'bullet' (a projectile) do not compose to indicate job loss. The phrase is idiomatic and not a predictable metaphorical extension of the parts, and comparable constructions conveying dismissal in other languages typically use different imagery, so a B1 learner knowing the words would not reliably infer this meaning.

Etymology

The idiom get the bullet may come from a plain, violent image: to get a bullet meant being shot and removed from a group. That's why today saying you get the bullet means 'to be dismissed' or 'to lose an opportunity' suddenly.