Meaning of GIVE THE AXE

WordNet Dictionary
	Definition:		[v]  terminate the employment of; "The boss fired his secretary today"; "The company terminated 25% of its workers"
	Synonyms:		can, dismiss, fire, force out, give notice, sack, send away, terminate
	Antonyms:		employ, engage, hire
	See Also:		clean out, drop, furlough, lay off, pension off, remove, retire, send packing, squeeze out