Source : WordNet®

give the axe
     v 1: terminate the employment of; "The boss fired his secretary
          today"; "The company terminated 25% of its workers"
          [syn: {fire}, {give notice}, {can}, {dismiss}, {send
          away}, {sack}, {force out}, {give the sack}, {terminate}]
          [ant: {hire}]
     2: terminate a relationship abruptly; "Mary gave John the axe
        after she saw him with another woman" [syn: {give the
        bounce}, {give the gate}]