call it quits

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Idioms and Phrases

Stop working, abandon something, give up, as in John is calling it quits for now or This ground is far too stony for a garden so I'm calling it quits . This idiom comes from cry quits , dating from the 1600s and meaning “declare even” or “get even.” The verb call was substituted in the late 1800s. Also see call it a day .

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Example Sentences

Ortega wanted to remain on the show but knew it was best for her to call it quits.

From Los Angeles Times

After seeing his playing career decimated by a hip injury, three-time major champion Murray finally decided to call it quits last year following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

From BBC

Turner and Nist called it quits on ABC's "Good Morning America" just three months after tying the knot.

From Salon

Hines reportedly struggled with Kennedy’s decision to run for president but felt even more conflicted when the vaccine skeptic called it quits to back Donald Trump’s campaign.

From Salon

But the members never intentionally called it quits.

From New York Times

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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