pack it in

Idioms and Phrases

Stop working or abandon an activity, as in Let's pack it in for the day . This usage alludes to packing one's things before departing, and during World War I became military slang for being killed. It also is used as an imperative ordering someone to stop, as in Pack it in! I've heard enough out of you . In Britain it is also put as pack it up . [ Colloquial ; early 1900s]

Related Words

• achieve
• break up
• cease
• close
• complete
• conclude
• culminate
• delay
• drop
• expire
• finish
• give up
• halt
• play out
• quit
• resolve
• settle
• stop
• terminate
• wind up