SSC Selection Post 2025 PYQ — Question 65

Correct Answer

Be fired or dismissed from a job

Explanation

The question asks for the correct meaning of the idiom "Get your walking papers."

This phrase is a well-known workplace idiom. Historically, when an employer wanted to terminate a worker's employment, they would hand the individual their official discharge papers or final notice. Informally, these documents were called "walking papers" because they signaled that the person was free—and required—to walk away from the premises and find a new place to work.

Therefore, to "get your walking papers" means to be officially notified that your services are no longer required.

Let's look at why the other options are incorrect:

Go on vacation means taking a planned, paid or unpaid leave of absence with the intention of returning to the job.

Receive a promotion means being elevated to a higher position or rank within the same company, which is the exact opposite of being dismissed.

Be given permission to retire means voluntarily leaving the workforce due to age or length of service, usually accompanied by benefits or a pension, rather than being forced out by management.

Because the phrase serves as a direct euphemism for job termination, Option 4 is the correct choice.

Key Points

To improve your score on competitive vocabulary exams, try to group workplace idioms by their positive or negative outcomes.

Idioms that mean getting fired or dismissed include: Get your walking papers, Get the sack, Get the axe, and Be given your marching orders.

Idioms that mean getting promoted or succeeding include: Climb the corporate ladder, Step up your game, and Move up in the world.