quits

[kwits]

adjective

1. on equal terms by repayment or retaliation.

quits

/ kwɪts /

adjective

1. on an equal footing; even

   now we are quits

2. to agree to end a dispute, contest, etc, agreeing that honours are even

interjection

1. an exclamation indicating willingness to give up

Word History and Origins

Origin of quits¹

1470–80; perhaps < Medieval Latin quittus quit ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. call it quits,

   1. to end one's activity, especially temporarily.

      At 10 o'clock I decided to call it quits for the day.

   2. to abandon an effort.

2. cry quits, to agree to end competition and consider both sides equal.

   It became too dark to continue play and they decided to cry quits.

Example Sentences

If “Phase Two” of his plan isn’t working, he’ll need the bravery to call it quits—as the “peace processors” of old never could.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At one point Faith declares, “nobody quits in this business, Gabriel.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After a six-decade run at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., the 95-year-old Buffett, arguably the world’s most famous and successful investor, will call it quits at the end of the year.

Read more on MarketWatch

Now, when someone quits, the company asks: “Is there an opportunity for us to rethink how we staff?”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At the point they were ready to call it quits, the band was struggling to sell enough tickets to their shows to keep the dream alive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What else does quits mean?

If someone quits or calls it quits, they abruptly leave or give up on something, especially leaving a job, relationship, or game.