can

can (someone)

To summarily dismiss or oust someone from employment; to fire someone. Management promptly canned the new accountant after his miscalculation cost the company hundreds of thousands of dollars. They'll can me if they ever find out I came into work drunk yesterday.
See also: can
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

can

1. n. the head. Jerry landed one on Frank’s can. Frank crumpled.
2. n. toilet. Restroom? Hell, I ain’t tired! Where’s the can?
3. n. the buttocks. (see also bucket.) The guy slipped on the ice and fell on his can.
4. n. jail. (Usually with the.) I had to spend the night in the can, but it wasn’t too bad.
5. tv. to dismiss someone from employment. The jerk canned everybody who played a part in the gag.
6. n. a car. That’s a good-looking can he’s driving.
7.  Go to cans.
8. n. a breast. (Usually objectionable. Usually plural.) Man, look at the cans on that dame!
9. n. a measurement of marijuana. (Drugs.) How much do you want for a can?
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

can

/could do without
To prefer not to experience or deal with: I could do without their complaints.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See:
  • (Can I) buy you a drink?
  • (Can I) get you something (to drink)?
  • (Can I) give you a lift?
  • (Can) you dig (it)?
  • (I) can too
  • (I) can't rightly say
  • (I) can't say (as) I have
  • (I) can't say as I do
  • (I) can't say as I do(, can't say as I don't)
  • (I) can't say for sure
  • (I) can't say that I do
  • (I) can't say that I have
  • (I) can't say's I do
  • (I) can't say's I have
  • (I) can't thank you enough
  • (as) happy as can be
  • (one') can't say fairer than that
  • (one) can do worse
  • (one) can hardly believe (one's) eyes
  • (one) can scarcely believe (one's) eyes
  • (one) can whistle for it
  • (one) can't be arsed
  • (one) can't beat (something)
  • (one) can't beat that
  • (one) can't believe (one's) ears
  • (one) can't do right for doing wrong
  • (one) can't take (someone) anywhere
  • (one) can't top that
  • (one) can't wait
  • (one) can't win
  • (one) can't win for losing
  • (one) can't win for trying
  • (one) could do worse
  • (one) might do worse
  • (someone) can kiss my arse
  • (someone) can kiss my ass
  • (someone) could sell an icebox to an Eskimo
  • (someone) could sell ice to Eskimos
  • (someone) could sell sawdust to a lumber mill
  • (you) can't fight city hall
  • (you) can't get there from here
  • (you) can't please everyone
  • (you) can't take it with you (when you go)
  • (you) can't win them all
  • A golden key can open any door
  • Anything else can I do for you?
  • Appearances can be deceiving
  • Beggars can't be choosers
  • Can I be excused?
  • Can I call you?
  • Can I come in?
  • Can I get by, please?
  • Can I have (one) call you?
  • Can I have a lift?
  • Can I have a word with you?
  • Can I help you?
  • Can I join you?
  • Can I leave a message?
  • Can I see you again?
  • Can I see you in my office?
  • Can I speak to (one)?
  • Can I speak to ? Go to Could I speak to
  • Can I take a message?
  • Can I take your order?
  • Can I tell (one) who's calling?
  • Can I use your powder room?
  • Can I/we have the bill?
  • Can I/we have the check?
  • Can do
  • Can it!
  • Can we continue this later?
  • Can you excuse us, please?
  • Can you hold(, please)?
  • Can you hold?
  • Can you imagine?
  • Can you keep a secret?
  • Can you tell me (something)?
  • Can you tie that?
  • Can you/we say (something)?
  • Come back when you can stay longer
  • Could I help you?
  • Could I leave a message?
  • Could I see you again?
  • Could I see you in my office?
  • Could I speak to?
  • Could I take a message?
  • Could I take your order?
  • Could I tell him who's calling?
  • Could I use your powder room?
  • Could we continue this later?
  • Could you excuse us, please?
  • Could you hold?
  • Could you keep a secret?
  • GI can
  • How (something) can you be?
  • How (something) can you get?
  • How can I help you?
  • How can I serve you?
  • How may I help you?
  • I (can) promise you
  • I can accept that
  • I can live with that
  • I can tell you
  • I can wait
  • I can't accept that
  • I can't believe it/that/this
  • I can't believe!
  • I can't even
  • I can't get over
  • I can't hear you over the sound of (something)
  • I can't remember the last time (something happened)
  • I can't thank you enough
  • I can't understand (it)
  • I don't understand
  • I, he, etc. can't wait
  • I, you, etc. can't take somebody anywhere
  • I, you, etc. can't win
  • If anything can go wrong, it will
  • If you can't be good, be careful
  • If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
  • If you can't beat them, join them
  • If you can't lick 'em, join 'em
  • If you can’t stand the heat, keep out of the kitchen
  • Is there some place I can wash up?
  • Neither can I
  • Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
  • No can do!
  • No man can serve two masters
  • Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.
  • Those who can, do; those who can't, teach
  • Two can play this game
  • We must learn to walk before we can run
  • What can I do you for?
  • What can I say?
  • What can I tell you?
  • What can you expect?
  • What can't be cured must be endured
  • What else can I do for you?
  • What more can I do?
  • What you don't know won't hurt you
  • Where can I wash up?
  • Who can say?
  • Who can tell?
  • Why buy a cow when you can get milk for free?
  • You can bet the farm
  • You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar
  • You can say that again!
  • You can't expect me to believe that
  • You can't mean that!
  • You cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs
  • You cannot make bricks without straw
  • You can’t dance at two weddings
  • You can’t fight city hall
  • You can’t get there from here
  • You can’t take it with you
  • You can’t win them all
  • You can’t win ’em all
  • a can of corn
  • a can of whoop-ass
  • a can of worms
  • a cat can look at a king
  • a game at which two can play
  • a game that two can play
  • a golden key can open any door
  • a kick at the can
  • a leopard can't change his spots
  • a leopard can't change its spots
  • a man can die but once
  • a man cannot serve two masters
  • a mill cannot grind with water that is past
  • a word (once) spoken cannot be recalled
  • an offer (one) can't refuse
  • any fool can/could...
  • any fool could (do something)
  • anything can happen
  • anything can/might happen
  • appearances can be deceiving
  • as best (one) can
  • as best one can
  • as best you can
  • as far as I (can) recall/remember
  • as far as I can see
  • as far as I can tell
  • as far as the eye can see
  • as far as the eye can/could see
  • as fast as (one's) legs can carry (one)
  • as fast as your legs can carry you
  • as much as (one) could do (not) (to do something)
  • as much as somebody can/could do to do something
  • be all (one) could do (not) to (do something)
  • be all somebody can/could do to do something
  • before (one) can blink
  • before (one) can say Jack Robinson
  • before you can say "knife"
  • before you can say (something)
  • before you can say Jack Robinson
  • before you can say knife
  • beggars can't be choosers
  • believe one's own eyes, one cannot
  • bet on it
  • bet one's bottom dollar, one can
  • bet one’s bottom dollar
  • bet your bottom dollar
  • better mousetrap, (if one can) build a
  • bite off more than (one) can chew
  • bite off more than can chew
  • bite off more than one can chew
  • bite off more than one can chew, to
  • bite off more than you can chew
  • blood from a stone/turnip, one can't get
  • booze can
  • burn the candle at both ends, to (you can't)
  • call one's own
  • can
  • can (do something) on (one's) ear
  • can (just) whistle for (something)
  • can (someone)
  • can barely hear (oneself) think
  • can but
  • can carry a tune
  • can count on the fingers of one hand
  • can do
  • can do something standing on your head
  • can do with
  • can drive a truck through something
  • can hardly hear (oneself) think
  • can it
  • can kiss (something) goodbye
  • can of corn
  • can of worms
  • can of worms, it's a/like opening a
  • can see (from) a mile off
  • can take (something) to the bank
  • can take it to the bank
  • can talk the hind leg(s) off a donkey
  • can talk the legs off an iron pot
  • can talk under water
  • can too
  • can whistle for
  • can you beat it/that
  • can you beat it/that?
  • can you imagine
  • can't
  • can't (do something) for nuts
  • can't (do something) for toffee
  • can't (do something) to save (one's) life
  • can't argue with that
  • can't be arsed
  • can't be bad
  • can't be bothered
  • can't be doing with (something)
  • can't be doing with something
  • can't be helped. and couldn't be helped
  • can't be in two places at once
  • can't bear to think about (something)
  • can't beat that
  • can't boil an egg
  • can't but
  • can't call (one's) soul (one's) own
  • can't call (one's) time (one's) own
  • can't call one's soul one's own
  • can't call soul own
  • can't carry a tune
  • can't carry a tune in a bushel basket
  • can't carry a tune in a paper sack
  • can't complain
  • can't complain. and nothing to complain about
  • can't cut the mustard
  • can't do anything with
  • can't do anything with (someone or something)
  • can't do something for toffee
  • can't do something to save your life
  • can't even
  • can't fight City Hall
  • can't fight City Hall, one/you/they
  • can't fight city hall
  • can't find (one's) butt with both hands
  • can't find (one's) butt with both hands in broad daylight
  • can't find butt with both hands
  • can't for the life of me
  • can't get (something) for love or money
  • can't get enough (of something)
  • can't get over (something)
  • can't get over something
  • can't get there from here
  • can't go on
  • can't hack it
  • can't have it both ways
  • can't hear (oneself) think
  • can't hear yourself think
  • can't help
  • can't help (doing something)
  • can't help but (do something)
  • can't help but do
  • can't help but notice (that) (something)
  • can't help it
  • can't help noticing (that) (something)
  • can't help something
  • can't hit the (broad) side of a barn
  • can't hit the broad side of a barn
  • can't hit the side of a barn
  • can't hold (one's) drink
  • can't hold a candle to
  • can't hold a candle to (someone or something)
  • can't hold a candle to someone/something
  • can't hold it (in)
  • can't keep (one's) eyes off (of) (someone or something)
  • can't keep (one's) hands off (someone)
  • can't live with them, can't live without them
  • can't make a silk purse (out) of a sow's ear
  • can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
  • can't make anything out (of something)
  • can't make head nor tail of (someone or something)
  • can't make head or tail of
  • can't make head or/nor tail of something
  • can't make heads nor tails of (someone or something)
  • can't make heads or tails (out) of (someone or something)
  • can't make heads or tails of
  • can't nail (something) down
  • can't punch (one's) way out of a paper bag
  • can't punch (one's) way out of a wet paper bag
  • can't punch one's way out of a paper bag
  • can't put a name to (someone)
  • can't remember a fucking thing
  • can't remember shit
  • can't rightly say
  • can't say as I do
  • can't say boo to a goose
  • can't say fairer than that
  • can't say for sure
  • can't say that I do
  • can't say that I have
  • can't see (any) further than the end of (one's) nose
  • can't see (one's) hand in front of (one's) face
  • can't see a hole in a ladder
  • can't see beyond the end of (one's) nose
  • can't see beyond the end of one's nose
  • can't see farther than (one's) nose
  • can't see farther than the end of (one's) nose
  • can't see further than (the end of) (one's) (own) nose
  • can't see hand in front of face
  • can't see past the end of (one's) nose
  • can't see straight
  • can't see the forest for the trees
  • can't see the forest/wood(s) for the trees
  • can't see the wood for the trees
  • can't seem to
  • can't stand
  • can't stand (someone or something)
  • can't stand the pace
  • can't stand the sight of (someone or something)
  • can't stomach (someone)
  • can't stomach (something)
  • can't take (one's) eyes off (of) (someone or something)
  • can't take it with you
  • can't take the heat
  • can't take your eyes off someone/something
  • can't tell (one's) arse from (one's) elbow
  • can't thank you enough
  • can't think straight
  • can't very well (do something)
  • can't wait
  • can't win them all
  • can't/couldn't tell shit from Shinola
  • can't/couldn't very well do something
  • can-do
  • can-shaker
  • can/could teach/tell somebody a thing or two
  • cannot choose but
  • cannot help but
  • cans
  • can’t find one’s butt with both hands
  • can’t find one’s butt with both hands in broad daylight
  • can’t hit the broad side of a barn
  • can’t hit the side of a barn
  • can’t remember a fucking thing
  • can’t remember shit
  • can’t win em all
  • can’t win them all
  • carry the can
  • cat can look at a king
  • catch as catch can
  • catch more flies with honey than vinegar, one can
  • catch-as-catch-can
  • change (one's) stripes
  • come back when you can stay longer
  • could (do something) standing on (one's) head
  • could do with (something)
  • could do without (something)
  • could drive a truck through (something)
  • could hear a pin drop
  • could talk under water
  • could teach (someone) a thing or two (about someone or something)
  • could tell (someone) a thing or two (about someone or something)
  • could/can do without something
  • couldn't carry a note in a bucket
  • couldn't carry a tune in a bucket
  • devil can quote Scripture for his own purpose
  • doesn't hold a candle
  • don't bark if you can't bite
  • don't judge a book by its cover
  • don't let your mouth write a check your ass can't cash
  • don't make a threat you cannot carry out
  • don't make threats you cannot carry out
  • don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk
  • even a blind pig can find an acorn once in a while
  • everyone can find fault, few can do better
  • faster than you can say Jack Robinson
  • feel for
  • for England
  • from can see to can't see
  • game that two can play
  • game that two can play, that's a
  • get a can on
  • get the ax
  • get the can
  • give (someone) the can
  • happy as a clam
  • have (one's) cake and eat it (too)
  • have it both ways
  • he can who believes he can
  • he/she can talk/eat, etc. for England
  • hear a pin drop, can
  • hear oneself think, can't
  • hold a candle to, cannot/not fit to
  • how can you sleep at night
  • how can/could you!
  • how could you
  • how many angels can dance on the head of a pin
  • how selfish, stupid, ungrateful, etc. can you get?
  • if (one) can help it
  • if anything can go wrong, it will
  • if you can't be good, be careful
  • if you can't beat 'em
  • if you can't beat 'em, join 'em
  • if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull
  • if you can't do the time, don't do the crime
  • if you can't stand the heat
  • if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen
  • if you can't stand the heat, keep out of the kitchen
  • if you can't take it, (then) don't dish it out
  • if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen
  • if you can't walk the walk, don't talk the talk
  • in the can
  • it can't be helped
  • it's all (one) can do (to do something)
  • judge a book by its cover, one can't
  • keep no more cats than can catch mice
  • kick the can
  • kick the can down the road
  • like a can of corn
  • like it or lump it
  • live out
  • live out of cans
  • look who's talking
  • make nothing of
  • man cannot live by bread alone
  • money can't buy happiness
  • more (something) than you can shake a stick at
  • more than (one) can bear
  • more than (one) can endure
  • more than (one) can stand
  • more than (one) can take
  • more than flesh and blood can bear
  • more than flesh and blood can endure
  • more than flesh and blood can stand
  • more than flesh and blood can stand, endure, etc.
  • more than one can bear
  • more than one can shake a stick at
  • more than you can (ever) know
  • more than you can shake a stick at
  • more things than you can shake a stick at
  • more... than you can shake a stick at
  • need (something) so bad (that) (one) can taste it
  • neither can (one)
  • never make a threat you cannot carry out
  • never make threats you cannot carry out
  • nice work if you can get it
  • no can do
  • no man can serve two masters
  • not agree with (someone or something)
  • not bear the sight of (someone or something)
  • not get a word in edgeways
  • not hold (one's) liquor
  • not if I can help it
  • not if one can help it
  • not miss (something) for the world
  • not miss a trick
  • not miss much
  • not put (one's) finger on (something)
  • not put (something) past (one)
  • not put a foot wrong
  • not say boo to a fly
  • not show (one's) face
  • not stand in (someone's or something's) way
  • not stand the sight of (someone or something)
  • not trust (someone) as far as (one) can throw (them)
  • not trust (someone) farther than (one) can throw (them)
  • not trust someone as far as one can throw him/her
  • not trust someone as far as you can throw them
  • nothing to complain about
  • one bad apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • one bad apple spoils the (whole) bunch
  • one bad apple spoils the (whole) bushel
  • only Nixon could go to China
  • open (up) a can of whoop ass (on someone)
  • open (up) a can of worms
  • open up a can of worms
  • pack it in
  • pigs can fly
  • piss or get off the can
  • put (one's) finger on (something)
  • put off
  • quicker than you can say Jack Robinson
  • run as fast as (one's) legs can carry (one)
  • run before you can walk
  • see no further than the end of nose
  • shit or get off the can
  • shitcan
  • so bad (that) (one) can taste it
  • so bad one can taste it
  • so quiet you could hear a pin drop
  • so still you could hear a pin drop
  • someone can kiss my arse
  • spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, the
  • stand to (do something)
  • stand to lose (something)
  • stand up against (someone or something)
  • take it from me
  • take it from me, (you can)
  • take it or leave it
  • talk the talk and walk the walk
  • teach an old dog new tricks, one can't/it's hard to
  • tell (one) what (one) can do with (something)
  • tell (someone) a thing or two (about someone or something)
  • that's a game that two can play
  • the devil can cite Scripture for his own purpose
  • the devil can quote Scripture for his own purpose
  • the devil can quote scripture for his own purpose
  • the least (one) can do
  • the least (one) could do
  • the least you can/could do
  • this is why we can't have nice things
  • those who can't do, teach
  • tomato can
  • two can play at that game
  • two can play that game
  • walk before you can run
  • want (something) so bad (that) (one) can taste it
  • we, you, he, etc. can/could/might do worse
  • when pigs can fly
  • wild horses couldn't drag (one) to (something)
  • wild horses couldn't drag (something) from (one)
  • you (can) bet your (sweet) bippy
  • you (can) bet your (sweet) life
  • you (can) bet your (sweet) life)
  • you (can) bet your boots
  • you bet your ass
  • you can bet your boots
  • you can dish it out, but you can't take it
  • you can dispense with (something)
  • you can have too much of a good thing
  • you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink
  • you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
  • you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
  • you can never tell with (someone or something)
  • you can run, but you can't hide
  • you can say that again
  • you can take a horse to water, but you can't make him drink
  • you can take/lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
  • you can talk
  • you can't be a little bit pregnant
  • you can't be half pregnant
  • you can't be too careful
  • you can't bluff a bluffer
  • you can't fight City Hall
  • you can't go home again
  • you can't go wrong
  • you can't have your cake and eat it
  • you can't judge a book by its cover
  • you can't keep a good man down
  • you can't keep a good man/woman down
  • you can't live with them, you can't live without them
  • you can't make a silk purse (out) of a sow's ear
  • you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
  • you can't make an omelet without breaking (a few) eggs
  • you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs
  • you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs
  • you can't make bricks without straw
  • you can't miss it
  • you can't polish a turd
  • you can't put a wise head on young shoulders
  • you can't put an old head on young shoulders
  • you can't run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
  • you can't say fairer
  • you can't take it with you
  • you can't teach an old dog new tricks
  • you can't tell a book by its cover
  • you can't unring a bell
  • you can't win
  • you can't win 'em all
  • you can't win them all
  • you can/can't talk
  • you could hear the grass grow(ing)
  • you have to (learn to) walk before you (can) run
  • you must (learn to) walk before you (can) run
  • you never can tell
  • you, etc. can whistle for it
  • you, etc. can't have it both ways
  • you, he, etc. can't stand somebody/something
References in periodicals archive
With USD 2,717.06 Million in 2018, North America Non-BPA Cans market accounted for the biggest market followed by Europe and APAC with USD 2,092 million, 1,530 million, respectively.
"People may be surprised by the new and interesting ingredients available in cans, such as lychees.
After this, the cans go to the automated sauce filling tank and are then sealed hermetically.
I value the cans as every can has a beauty of its own kind.""I joined the world's biggest association of brewery collectors that collects beer cans and breweriana, or anything related to beer, and I now have my BCCA personal number which cannot be given to anyone else worldwide.
USDA canning experts frown on this practice, because you can't be sure the cakes or pies are entirely free of bacteria when the jars are sealed.
Production at time of can change###kg/h###129###90###+210%
"That way, when consumers choose Hunt's canned tomatoes, they can be sure they are getting vine-ripened tomatoes, as opposed to tomatoes in the produce section, which are often picked early and ripen in transit to the retailer."
Cans for Kids is a non-profit organisation that has been running in Cyprus since 1990.
Ward believes using canned vegetables--especially vegetables that are timely to prepare, such as artichokes--can simplify cooking, noting, "I probably wouldn't eat artichokes if they weren't cleaned and cut up in a can." EN
As of 2012, cans constituted 53.2 percent of the beer market while bottles had a 36.5 percent share - a fairly significant gap.
If they end up with issues where one or the other is preferred due to a medical condition, you can choose the appropriate form.
Whether to dry, freeze, ferment or can is a fundamental food preservation question, and canning is often the best answer.
Vimal came with his family to the Can Collection Drive to give their six months' worth of collected cans weighing 8kg.
is the first of the Eugene-Springfield craft brewers to join what some are calling "the can revolution," offering its DD Blonde and Alphadelic IPA beers in aluminum cans.
The Heineken Cold Rooms return to Oxegen after a phenomenal ice cold can experience at the festival last year.