show someone the door: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘show someone the door’ mean?
The idiom "show someone the door" means to ask or tell someone to leave or to dismiss them from a place or situation.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "tell someone where to shove it" means to angrily reject or dismiss someone or something, often with hostility or contempt.
The idiom "take one's leave" means to say goodbye or depart from a place or a person.
An idiom meaning to leave or depart, often used to describe ending a project or leaving a place quickly.
The idiom "send someone to the showers" means to remove someone from a situation or activity, typically in a dismissive or humiliating manner.
The idiom "send away" means to dismiss or force someone to leave, usually with a negative connotation.
The idiom "say goodbye" means to part or separate from someone or something, often permanently. It implies a finality or ending to a relationship, situation, or opportunity.
The idiom "open the door" means to give someone an opportunity or a chance.
The idiom "open doors" means to provide opportunities or create favorable circumstances for someone or something. It implies removing barriers or obstacles, allowing for easy access or progress in a particular situation.
The idiom "let someone go" means to allow someone to leave or end a relationship, usually in a work context, such as firing an employee or ending a romantic relationship.
The idiom "leave at the door" means to put aside or forget about something, usually negative or burdensome, and not let it affect the current situation or environment.
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"Show someone the door" is an idiom that is often used in English-speaking countries, such as the United States. It is a figurative expression that conveys the action of asking or indicating someone to leave a place or situation.
The origin of the idiom "show someone the door" is uncertain, but it likely developed from a literal action of physically guiding someone towards the exit of a place. Its usage has evolved over time and is now commonly employed in situations where someone's presence, behavior, or actions are no longer tolerated or desired.
When someone is "shown the door," it implies that they are being escorted out or escorted towards the exit. The action can range from a polite suggestion to a more forceful demand, depending on the situation and the relationship between the speaker and the person being addressed.
get the door is a related idiom that shares a similar meaning with "show someone the door." It is a phrase commonly used to instruct someone to open a door and allow someone to enter or exit a place. While "get the door" focuses on the action of opening the door, "show someone the door" emphasizes the act of indicating someone to leave.
open the door is another idiom related to "show someone the door." It is a phrase used to give someone access to a place or opportunity. While "open the door" refers to granting permission or providing an opportunity, "show someone the door" conveys the opposite, indicating the need for someone to leave.
leave at the door is a phrase that shares a similar concept with "show someone the door." It suggests leaving behind certain things or emotions before entering a place or engaging in a particular situation. While "leave at the door" pertains to emotional or mental aspects, "show someone the door" pertains to physically leaving a place or situation.
give someone the boot is a related idiom that conveys a forceful action of dismissing or expelling someone. While "show someone the door" can be used in various contexts and with different levels of forcefulness, "give someone the boot" implies a more definitive and forceful action of removing someone from a place or situation.
The idiomatic phrase "show someone the door" is widely understood and used in everyday conversation. It can be found in various forms of media and has become an accepted expression in the English language.
Furthermore, the idiom may also be used metaphorically in certain contexts. For example, it can symbolize the act of ending a relationship or cutting ties with someone or something. In these cases, "showing the door" represents a more symbolic departure rather than a literal physical action.
It is worth noting that the idiom is flexible and can be modified with different verbs, such as "point," "direct," or "lead." These variations maintain the core meaning of indicating or instructing someone to leave while providing some linguistic variety and creativity.
"show someone the door" is an idiom that conveys the action of asking or indicating someone to leave a place or situation. Its origin is uncertain, but it likely emerged from the literal action of physically guiding someone towards the exit of a place. Whether used as a literal or metaphorical expression, this idiom captures the human experience of indicating someone to leave and allows for further exploration and interpretation.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "show someone the door" can be used in a sentence:
- After causing a disturbance in the movie theater, the manager had to show the unruly patrons the door.
- When the employee repeatedly failed to meet deadlines, the boss finally had to show them the door.
- Despite his initial enthusiasm, the coach had to show the player the door when he consistently showed a lack of effort during practice.
More "Farewell" idioms
