dégommer

to knock off

verb deh-goh-MEH Rare

Also means

to fire (someone)

Usage Note

Dégommer is a lively informal verb with several senses: to remove or dislodge something, to knock something off a perch (as in a fairground shooting game), and figuratively to sack or oust someone from a position. The imagery is of unsticking (gomme = rubber/gum). Register is decidedly colloquial; avoid in formal writing.

Examples

"Le ministre a été dégommé après le scandale."

Natural Translation

The minister was fired after the scandal.

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