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]

Example Sentences

After struggling with the thing for a while, you might decide to just pack it in and go back to the old, dumb, reliable model.

From Slate

“Once you get to this time of the year, it’s so close, and you’re not going to see teams pack it in,” former player-turned-TNT analyst Anson Carter said Thursday.

From Seattle Times

He shouted and gestured for other rioters to “pack it in” and prepare to attack.

From Seattle Times

Should the Kraken expect to pack it in or ride it out?

From Seattle Times

Yet Davis, 91, wasn’t quite ready to pack it in — not least because he knew at least some of what was coming.

From Los Angeles Times

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