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Synonyms

pull up stakes

Idioms  
  1. Move away, leave one's home, job, or country. For example, We've lived here for years, but now it's time to pull up stakes. This expression alludes to the stakes that mark property boundaries. [Early 1800s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Yet as Polestar prepares to exit from the U.S. market, it may contend with state laws that often require automakers to compensate dealers when they pull up stakes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

About a month ago, Holzer decided to pull up stakes and move back to Billings, Mont., where he lived before moving to Seattle as a child.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 23, 2023

Almost every large city has licensed talent agents, managers, theater companies and “places where you can get good training and experience” without having to pull up stakes and move to Hollywood, Henry said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2021

“It might be an inconvenience for a few days of the year, but not enough to pull up stakes and leave.”

From Washington Post ● Jan. 25, 2021

Back in my troupe, my father occasionally made us pull up stakes and leave a town despite the fact that we were welcome and the crowds were generous.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

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