Prepare to cut leave, reluctantly (3,3,3)

'leave reluctantly' is the definition.
(to get the axe is to be fired or dismissed)

'prepare to cut' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'prepare' could be 'get' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'get' is found in the answer.
'cut' could be 'axe' (both can mean to cancel or remove) and 'axe' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'the' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?