heave-ho
|heave/ho|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌhiːvˈhoʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˌhiːvˈhəʊ/
dismissal or chant
Etymology
Etymology Information
'heave-ho' originates from the nautical term 'heave,' meaning to lift or pull, combined with 'ho,' a call to action or encouragement.
Historical Evolution
'heave-ho' was used by sailors as a chant to coordinate effort when pulling ropes, and eventually became a colloquial term for dismissal or rejection.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant a chant for pulling together, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of dismissal or rejection.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a dismissal or rejection, especially from a job or position.
After the merger, many employees got the heave-ho.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/18 07:30