Quick answer: “Call it quits” means to stop doing something — ending an activity, job, or relationship, often by mutual agreement.
Call it quits — To stop doing something, end an activity, relationship, or effort, often by mutual agreement.
Meaning
To “call it quits” means to decide to stop doing something, whether that is a job, a relationship, a game, or any ongoing effort. It often implies that the decision is mutual or at least reasonably calm, rather than the result of a dramatic falling-out. The phrase can be used about big life decisions, like ending a long-term relationship, or small everyday moments, like stopping work at the end of a long day.
It is a flexible, everyday idiom that fits naturally into conversations about relationships, careers, sport, and daily routines, and it is one of the most common ways in English to talk about deciding to stop.
Origin & Usage Note
The idiom likely developed from the older expression “to be quits”, which describes two people or parties being even, with no remaining debt or score to settle between them. “Calling it quits” extends this idea to any situation, suggesting that both sides agree the matter is settled and it is time to stop. The phrase became a well-established part of everyday English during the 20th century and remains common today, though, as with many idioms of this kind, it is difficult to pin down an exact date or source with certainty.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| After three years together, they decided to call it quits. | Ending a romantic relationship |
| We've been working on this for six hours — let's call it quits for tonight. | Stopping work or a task for the day |
| The two business partners called it quits after a difficult year. | Ending a professional partnership |
| Down two goals with ten minutes left, the coach refused to call it quits. | Sport; refusing to give up despite difficulty |
| She tried the diet for a month before finally calling it quits. | Giving up on a personal effort or plan |
How to Use It
“Call it quits” is typically used with “decide to”, “let's”, or “finally” to describe the moment of stopping. It suits informal conversation and casual writing about relationships, jobs, sport, and daily life, but it is less suitable for formal or legal writing, where more specific verbs such as “resign”, “terminate”, or “separate” are preferred. It generally suggests a fairly neutral or amicable ending rather than an angry one.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
They decided to call quits after the argument.
They decided to call it quits after the argument. — The pronoun “it” is essential; “call quits” without it is incorrect.
He called it quits furiously and stormed out of the meeting.
He stormed out of the meeting, refusing to work with them any longer. — “Call it quits” usually implies a calm or mutual ending, so it sits awkwardly alongside strong anger.
She calls it quits from her job every Friday at five.
She finishes work every Friday at five. — The idiom describes a decision to permanently or temporarily stop something, not a routine daily action.
Similar Idioms
Practise This Idiom
Practice English Idioms
Use these exercises to master idioms in context:
Want to understand the grammar behind this? Explore our Grammar guides.
Quick Check: Call it quits
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “call it quits” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “After three years together, they decided to _____.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “call it quits” mean?
“Call it quits” means to stop doing something, ending an activity, job, relationship, or effort. It is often used when both sides agree to stop, suggesting a mutual and fairly calm decision rather than a bitter dispute.
Where does the expression “call it quits” come from?
The idiom likely developed from the older phrase “to be quits”, meaning that two people or sides are even, with no debt or obligation left between them. “Calling it quits” builds on this idea of settling matters and stopping on equal terms, and the expression became a common part of everyday English over the course of the 20th century.
Can you give an example of “call it quits” in a sentence?
Here is an example: “After three years together, they decided to call it quits.” The sentence describes a couple mutually ending their relationship.
Is “call it quits” formal or informal?
The idiom is informal and conversational. It is common in everyday speech and casual writing about relationships, work, and hobbies, but it is generally avoided in formal or legal contexts, where more precise terms like “terminate” or “resign” would be used instead.
What CEFR level is “call it quits”?
This idiom is typically encountered at B1 level. It is a frequent, everyday expression about ending things, which makes it useful and accessible for learners at an intermediate stage.
What are common mistakes with “call it quits”?
A common mistake is dropping the word “it”, saying “call quits” instead of “call it quits”. Learners also sometimes use the idiom for an angry or violent ending, when it usually suggests a calmer, more mutual decision to stop. Another error is confusing it with “quit” used alone, which can carry a more negative, one-sided tone.
Is “call it quits” always about ending a relationship?
No. Although it is often used about relationships, it applies just as naturally to jobs, projects, games, and daily activities. For example, people might “call it quits” after a long day of work, in the middle of a game, or when giving up on a difficult task.
Does “call it quits” suggest a friendly or unfriendly ending?
It usually suggests a fairly neutral or even friendly ending, especially compared to more dramatic idioms about endings. It implies that both sides recognise it is time to stop, rather than describing a bitter argument or falling-out.
How do I practise idioms like “call it quits”?
LexFizz's Flip Tiles and Flash Cards exercises are excellent for practising English idioms in context. Try describing times you or people you know decided to stop doing something, and notice how the idiom is used in news stories about sport, business, and relationships.
Is “call it quits” used in both British and American English?
Yes. “Call it quits” is widely used and understood in both British and American English, and it is one of the more common idioms for ending an activity across most varieties of English.