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

Seeing a big brand like Nike pull up stakes, he says, “makes you wonder, what’s next?”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 20, 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

Smaller markets like Nashville are well positioned for companies wishing to pull up stakes from major metropolitan areas with higher density and costs, Mr. Alam said.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2020

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