Synonyms

call it quits

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

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call it quits

"I love this job but I am always ready to call it quits if need be."

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

In other cases, it has allowed workers to have a more secure retirement when they do call it quits.

From Barron's ● Jun. 13, 2026

Rather than provide proof, he attacked the media, accused major news organizations of corruption and eventually terminated the interview, telling Welker, “Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough.”

From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026

After watching him dominate the youngest starting five in these playoffs Friday, it is impossible to imagine he’s going to call it quits.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 2, 2026

We hadn’t even finished unpacking, and she was ready to call it quits.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

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

call it quits

Example Sentences

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