expression, godan verb (-ru)
Idiomatic expression for dismissing someone from a job. Often used in business or casual contexts. Can be used in passive form (首を切られる) to mean 'get fired'.
彼は会社を首を切られた。
He was fired from the company.
不況で多くの社員が首を切られた。
Many employees were let go due to the recession.
expression, godan verb (-ru)
Literal meaning of cutting off someone's head. Used in historical or dramatic contexts. The kanji 斬る is often preferred for this sense.
侍が罪人の首を斬った。
The samurai beheaded the criminal.