fire him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fire him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the termination of someone's employment or position within an organization. Example: "After several warnings about his performance, the manager decided it was time to fire him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fire him?

The New York Times

You'd fire him.

Yale University

WHY did Rutgers fire him?

The New York Times

Don't fire him.

The New York Times

volodymir_k "It was right to fire him.

The New York Times

Sarkozy did not fire him.

The Washington Post

The city wasn't able to fire him.

The New York Times

You've got to fire him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The CEO was right to fire him.

Harvard Business Review

He didn't fire him for poor results.

Harvard Business Review

And I didn't fire him that day.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fire him", ensure the context clearly indicates the termination of employment or a similar position. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the reason for the action if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "fire him" in contexts where a less direct or more formal term is appropriate, such as in official legal documents or highly sensitive internal communications. Use "terminate his employment" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fire him" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a transitive verb followed by a direct object. It describes the action of terminating someone's employment. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fire him" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the act of terminating someone's employment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it is generally considered neutral in register, more formal situations might call for alternatives such as "terminate his employment". When using "fire him", it's important to be mindful of the context and potential legal implications, ensuring that the reasons for termination are clearly documented and comply with relevant employment laws.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let him go

A common and less harsh way to say someone was fired.

sack him

A more informal term, common in British English, meaning to fire someone.

terminate his employment

A formal way to express the act of ending someone's job.

give him the sack

An idiomatic expression for firing someone.

dismiss him from his position

Indicates a formal removal from a job or role.

discharge him

A more formal and legalistic term for termination.

remove him from his duties

Suggests taking away responsibilities, potentially leading to termination.

oust him from his job

Emphasizes a forceful removal from a position.

end his contract

Specifically refers to not renewing or prematurely terminating a contract.

make him redundant

Implies the position is no longer needed and thus the person is let go.

FAQs

What does "fire him" mean?

The phrase "fire him" means to end someone's employment or remove them from their job, typically due to poor performance, misconduct, or redundancy.

What are some less direct ways to say "fire him"?

Alternatives include "let him go", "terminate his employment", or "dismiss him". The choice depends on the desired level of formality.

Is "fire him" appropriate for formal writing?

While "fire him" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using "terminate his employment" or "discharge him".

What are the implications of deciding to "fire him"?

Deciding to "fire him" can have significant legal and ethical implications. It's crucial to follow proper procedures, document reasons for termination, and ensure compliance with employment laws.