golden handshake
/ˌɡəʊldən ˈhændʃeɪk/
Meaning
A large sum of money or a generous financial package given to an executive or employee when they leave a company, often as an incentive to retire early or when they are laid off. It is typically associated with high-level corporate departures. It can sometimes carry a slightly critical connotation if the departing executive performed poorly.
Examples
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The CEO departed with a multi-million dollar golden handshake, despite the company's falling stock prices.
The CEO departed with a multi-million dollar golden handshake, despite the company's falling stock prices.
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They offered him a generous golden handshake to encourage him to take early retirement.
They offered him a generous golden handshake to encourage him to take early retirement.
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Public outrage grew when details of the executive's golden handshake were leaked to the press.
Public outrage grew when details of the executive's golden handshake were leaked to the press.
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She negotiated a substantial golden handshake as part of her exit package.
She negotiated a substantial golden handshake as part of her exit package.
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Without a golden handshake, he wouldn't have agreed to step down so quietly.
Without a golden handshake, he wouldn't have agreed to step down so quietly.
Common Mistakes
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✗ He received a gold handshake when he left.
✓ He received a golden handshake when he left.
The correct idiomatic adjective is 'golden,' not 'gold.'
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✗ The new hire was offered a golden handshake to sign the contract.
✓ The new hire was offered a golden hello to sign the contract.
A 'golden handshake' is for leaving a company, while a 'golden hello' (or signing bonus) is for joining one.
Related Expressions
Practice
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The retiring director was sent off with a very comfortable ___.
💡 A generous exit payment.
Show answer
golden handshake
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Critics argued that the executive didn't deserve such a massive ___ after the company's poor performance.
💡 Financial package given upon leaving.
Show answer
golden handshake