give the axe in WordNet English dictionary

1. terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position
   "The boss fired his secretary today"; "The company terminated 25% of its workers"
   displace  fire  give notice  can  dismiss  give the axe  send away  sack  force out  give the sack  terminate 
   
2. terminate a relationship abruptly
   "Mary gave John the axe after she saw him with another woman"
   give the axe  give the bounce  give the gate