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To retire means to take a permanent leave from one's profession or career. But the same word also means to end a particular activity, as in "to retire from the long day." We have gathered a list of slang words for retirement. Enjoy reading!
Slang Words for Retirement (in Alphabetical Order)
Call It a Day
Meaning:
(Verb) Typically to announce the end of a meeting or a work schedule, “calling it a day” can also mean one’s permanent leave.
Example: After 30 years of service, the bank’s manager is finally calling it a day.
Call It Quits
Meaning:
(Verb) To take one’s leave on a bitter note.
Example: When Camille’s boss finally gave her the overdue severance pay, she called it quits with him and his long working hours.
Counterpoise
Meaning:
(Verb) Doing an opposite action but resulting in an overall balance.
Example: The retirement of the CEO counterpoised the promotion of his son to the CEO position.
Golden Handshake
Meaning:
(Idiom) A sending away payment for someone laid off earlier than expected.
Example: Stefan refuses to sign the agreement with his employer because it does not guarantee a golden handshake.
Green Light
Meaning:
(Idiom) Basic on traffic light signals, green light signals go.
Example: Mr. Evans knew it was time for the green light when his boss gave him a box to clean up his desk space.
Hang Up One's Hat
Meaning:
(Idiom) Based on how all working gentlemen wore a top hat in the 1800’s, “to hang up one’s hat” is to retire from a job.
Example: The top sales agents, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Andrews, hang up their hats today.
Leave Taking
Meaning:
(Verb) To say goodbye in an occupational setting.
Example: So that Mr. Jeffrey’s leave taking won’t be filled with tears, his colleagues threw him a party instead.
Out to Pasture
Meaning:
(Verb) An Australian slang for employees to retire at a certain age per company policy.
Example: The old security guard is not willing to be sent out to pasture because he still needs to support his grandchildren.
Pack In
Meaning:
(Verb) To clean and pack up one’s cubicle or desk space because of retirement.
Example: Mr. Holmes packed in his stuff before dropping by the manager’s office.
Pension Off
Meaning:
(Verb) To retire from one’s work and receive financial support thereafter.
Example: Dr. Cruise chose the highest insurance to pay in all his professional years so he can be pensioned off well.
Snowbird
Meaning:
(Noun) A Canadian slang for a retiree who travels south when it gets colder in their part of Canada.
Example: The loving snowbirds signed up for a guided tour to the Southern parts of Canada.
Stand Aside
Meaning:
(Verb) To retire and make space for those who will proceed or go on with their careers.
Example: The store owner will stand aside tomorrow so that his son and daughter-in-law can take over the store.
Superannuate
Meaning:
(Verb) The formal slang of letting someone go professionally and with a pension.
Example: The HR committee keeps a list of employees to be superannuated soon.
Take Off
Meaning:
(Verb) Like how planes leave or take off from the ground, “take off” can be a conversational slang for retiring.
Example: Mrs. Johnson coolly takes off when her retirement d-day finally arrives.
Throw in the Towel
Meaning:
(Idiom) Usually to surrender or give up, “to throw in the towel” can also mean that it’s time to put an end to things like employment.
Example: Miranda may have formally thrown in the towel as the creative director but she is still a valued design consultant.