to quit

Examples

• All

• And you know, they quit because it's not worth their time.

  Ryan Pineda

• He felt like he wanted to quit during the difficult times, but he pushed through.

• I wanted to quit while the going was good.

• But most people quit here before things happen.

• You never quit, you know, you got this.

  Shawn Ryan Show

• There were a couple of minutes when I just felt like quitting, but what can you expect?

  Fiction book (1992)

• Many members lost hope and quit, leaving the "faithful few" to carry on the work against alcohol.

  Academic text (2009)

• Consequently, some people in the Black Belt quit looking for jobs after many unsuccessful attempts.

  Academic text (2006)

• Several participants decided to quit using drugs and remain abstinent while waiting for treatment.

  Academic text (2006)

• At one point, the child becomes frustrated and quits, saving the work in a file.

  Academic text (1991)

Synonyms

G

to give up

vsto quit

∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

focuses on stopping specifically due to difficulty or hopelessness

G

to give it up

vsto quit

683 3.7

To stop doing something you once did

emphasizes stopping because challenges make continued effort pointless

A

to abandon

vsto quit

401 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

is the personal act of quitting due to difficulty or hopelessness

C

to call it

vsto quit

• Informal

324 4.7

Decide to stop an activity and finish for now

is about quitting due to difficulty or a sense of defeat

C

to cease

vsto quit

324 3.6

To stop or come to an end

is specifically stopping because of difficulty or hopelessness rather than general ending

D

to drop out

vsto quit

214 3.0

To leave a course, competition or group before finishing

is broader, meaning stop trying when difficulties make success unlikely

R

to renounce

vsto quit

• Formal

69 6.3

To give up a right, belief, job, or position officially

is the informal personal act of stopping when defeat or hopelessness occurs

C

to call it quits

vsto quit

• Informal

34 3.9

To stop doing something because you cannot continue or feel you have done enough

is more about quitting from difficulty or hopelessness rather than completion

T

to throw in

vsto quit

• Informal

29 4.9

Stop trying because you cannot win

is used for stopping because difficulty or hopelessness forces withdrawal

T

to throw in the towel

vsto quit

• Informal

27 4.8

To stop trying because you know you cannot succeed

is the broader expression for stopping when problems feel hopeless

C

to capitulate

vsto quit

23 8.4

To stop fighting back and accept defeat or demands

is broader personal quitting when difficulty or hopelessness leads to giving up

F

to fall by the wayside

vsto quit

• Informal

11 6.5

Stop taking part or trying because of problems

stresses stopping specifically because challenges or hopelessness force surrender

D

to drop the idea

vsto quit

1 3.3

To decide not to continue with a plan or suggestion

is about quitting because difficulties or hopelessness make effort pointless

D

to drop by the wayside

vsto quit

• Informal

1 7.5

Stop taking part because it becomes too difficult

is used for quitting when difficulty makes continued effort hopeless

C

to chuck up the sponge

vsto quit

• UK

9.9

To stop trying because it seems pointless

is the general act of stopping when faced with hopeless difficulty

J

to jack it

vsto quit

• Slang

9.9

To stop doing something suddenly because you are frustrated

is about stopping because problems feel hopeless rather than sudden frustration

C

to cut bait

vsto quit

• Informal

8.8

Stop wasting time and either act now or give up a plan that does not work

focuses on quitting due to difficulty or hopelessness, not decisive action

Antonyms

P

to persist

62 3.7

To keep doing something or keep holding a belief despite difficulty

P

to persevere

22 5.1

Keep trying to do something even when it is hard

Idioms

N

never knows when to quit

• Informal

1 7.8

Keeps trying and does not stop even when it would be wiser to give up

Phrasal Verbs

Q

to quiet quit

• Slang

8.4

To keep your job but do only the work it requires and no extra tasks

Q

to quit alcohol

2.9

To stop drinking alcohol

Compounds

B

banana quit

• US

9.9

A small tropical bird with a curved bill that drinks nectar from flowers

How Persistent

to persevere

22 5.1

to persist

• Formal

18 5.2

to quit

653 1.5

to back down

107 3.7

Surface Forms

Etymology