THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Call it quits
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To decide to stop an activity or effort.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- After three unsuccessful repairs, we decided to call it quits and ask an expert.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
After three unsuccessful repairs, we decided to ________ and ask an expert.
Show the answer
Call it quits — To decide to stop an activity or effort.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Call it quits” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To decide to stop an activity or effort.
Compare: After three unsuccessful repairs, we decided to call it quits and ask an expert.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it informally when agreeing to stop, either for now or altogether. Context should make clear whether the decision is temporary or final.
More examples in context
- Let us call it quits for tonight and finish the display tomorrow.
- She chose to call it quits after a year on the committee.
Usage note
In UK usage, the phrase can also mean agreeing that a debt is settled. This lesson’s main use is stopping an activity; explain the context if either meaning is possible.
A short conversation
A: We are too tired to check these figures accurately.
B: Let us call it quits for tonight and start fresh in the morning.
A: Agreed. I will save the file.
One more practice question
What does “Let us call it quits for tonight” mean?
A. Stop the activity for the evening.
B. Continue the activity all night without a break.
Check your answer
A. The phrase proposes stopping; for tonight makes the pause temporary.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.