quits

American  

[kwits] / kwɪts /

adjective

1. on equal terms by repayment or retaliation.

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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.

quits British  

/ 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

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interjection

1. an exclamation indicating willingness to give up

Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of quits

1470–80; perhaps < Medieval Latin quittus quit ¹

Example Sentences

Gil would call it quits now—afraid for his business, of losing everything.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

He almost called it quits a decade ago.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

When he quits, the management will be passed onto three of Babis's four children, who could theoretically put Babis back in charge.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Ruth, a fashion designer who quits the high-pressure world to become a teacher, acts as a contrast to the hustle culture-inspired ambitions of wannabe billionaire Becket, Henwick says.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

The girl was nothing to do with him, and he was quits with her father now.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke