heave-ho

[ heev-hoh ]

noun

, Informal.

1. an act of rejection, dismissal, or forcible ejection:

   The bartender gave the noisy drunk the old heave-ho.

heave-ho

sentence substitute

1. a sailors' cry, as when hoisting anchor

noun

1. informal.
   dismissal, as from employment

Word History and Origins

Origin of heave-ho¹

Noun use of phrase heave ho, Middle English havehou, hevelow

Example Sentences

Jay Johnston, 56, of Los Angeles joined other rioters in a “heave-ho” push against police officers guarding a tunnel entrance to the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

From Los Angeles Times

Later, Cohen is seen entering a tunnel at the Capitol and joining other rioters in what prosecutors describe as a concerted “heave-ho” effort against the police line, according to court documents.

From Seattle Times

When a landlord in Sag Harbor gave him the heave-ho, he moved into a storage unit, showering in an office building that kept its doors unlocked at night.

From New York Times

Minutes later, he joined the mob in a coordinated “heave-ho” push against officers guarding the Lower West Terrace tunnel entrance.

From Washington Times

Once inside the tunnel, prosecutors said, Giberson and others tried to force their way in with a coordinated “heave-ho” pushing effort that left one officer crushed between a door and a rioter’s shield.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• chase
• dislodge
• dismiss
• dispossess
• eject
• expel
• force out
• oust
• remove