What does "Sacar la tijera" mean?

Question

I came across this phrase--"sacar la tijera"--in the headline "Siemens vuelve a sacar la tijera" and can't figure out what it means. It's sounds like "remove the scissor" but that doesn't make much sense. The only other context I've found it in also has to do with a company, but that's the only other information I have about its usage. Does anyone know what it means? Thanks.

Good question. I know what it means literally but it makes no sense -- it must be an idiom? - --Mariana--, Apr 6, 2010

Answer 1

It does mean reduction/ cutback. Look an the following examples form different web sites:

1. GM vuelve a sacar la tijera para hacer rentable a Opel
2. Tras tres meses analizando cómo recortar costes, Intel se dispone a sacar la tijera. Todo apunta que la mayor fabricante mundial de microprocesadores anunciará la próxima semana una reducción de plantilla que podría afectar hasta al 10% de su personal

it is an idiom, but the only English equivalent I can come up with is "to axe"

Answer 2

Just a guess - maybe it means taking a cutback, as in a reduction in workforce?

Answer 3

I would like to see the article, but it looks like LaBurra is right and they are referring to cutting jobs. That's the analogy with the scissors.

Yeah, that makes sense. It's not an article, just a caption, but here's the link to the source, anyway: http://www.elpais.com/fotografia/economia/Siemens/vuelve/sacar/tijera/elpfoteco/20100318elpepueco_3/Ies/ - MacFadden, Apr 6, 2010

Answer 4

"Take the scissors to"

as in slash!

... my stab in the dark ... is the accompanying pun.