noun

sack

sack, the sack, to sack

He carried a sack of potatoes.

He carried a sack of potatoes.

She got the sack for being late.

She got the sack for being late.

They decided to sack him.

They decided to sack him.

a sack of ((sth.)) He carried a sack of potatoes.

to get the sack She got the sack for being late.

to sack ((sb.)) They decided to sack him.

Synonyms (bag): bag, pouch; Synonyms (to fire): dismiss, fire, lay off

From Latin 'saccus' (bag). The dismissal sense comes from a tradesman being given his tools back in a sack when his job ended.

Imagine a boss telling an employee to 'pack their things in a sack' and leave, which means they are fired.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.