the gate

the gate

A rejection, dismissal, or refusal. Usually used after "get" or "give." I got the gate from the firm after I lost the Jefferson account. I thought our first few dates went really well, but she gave me the gate last night out of nowhere.
See also: gate
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the gate

n. a forced exit; sending (someone) away. (see also give someone the gate.) I could see in his eyes that it was the gate for me.
See also: gate
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • the air
  • the ax(e)
  • the sack
  • icy mitt
  • that's OK
  • the (old) heave-ho
  • old heave-ho
  • heave ho
  • not so much
  • been there, done that
References in classic literature
Someone stopped at the gate, and the latch rattled as someone tried to open it.
"My thanks, gentle palmer," quoth Robin, "your suggestion is good, and we will deploy to the gate upon the far side."
Relocking the gate the two strolled arm in arm to the little bower which was their trysting place.
Meanwhile, standing on the other side of the gate, he calmly put the key in his pocket.
A hundred yards to my right was the gate from which the troops were evidently expected to issue, but to reach it I must pass the flank of the green warriors within easy sight of them, and, fearing that my plan to warn the Kaolians might thus be thwarted, I decided upon hastening toward the left, where another gate a mile away would give me ingress to the city.
"Yes, from prison, perhaps, but not from the town; you will see, Van Deken, that the poor fellow will find the gate closed against him which he hoped to find open."
PETER was most dreadfully frightened; he rushed all over the garden, for he had forgotten the way back to the gate.
Like a bitterly angry croaking ran the sound through the long corridors when the leaves of the gate opened: ungraciously did this bird cry, unwillingly was it awakened.
Cautiously opening the gate the fellow peered carefully along the wall upon the outside in the direction from which he had come.
Then the boy got off and gave him a hard thrashing, and knocked him about the head; then he got up again and tried to make him leap the gate, kicking him all the time shamefully, but still the pony refused.
There was a bell beside the gate, and Dorothy pushed the button and heard a silvery tinkle sound within.
They stopped before the gate. It was a mighty thing.
It was only now, with the day drawing to a close and with them approaching the gate of the road to Berkeley, that he had broached the important subject.
They had covered a good portion of the distance to the gate without mishap when there came to their ears from the central portion of the city sounds of a great commotion.
But, there was no loud irruption into the courtyard, as he had expected, and he heard the gate clash again, and all was quiet.