quit

Church ain't out till they quit singing.

Rur. things have not yet reached the end. Charlie: No way our team can win now. Mary: Church ain't out till they quit singing. There's another inning to go.

See also: church, out, singe, till

Keep (on) trying. and Don't quit trying.

Fig. a phrase encouraging continued efforts. Jane: I think I'm doing better in calculus. John: Keep trying! You can get an A. Sue: I really want that promotion, but I keep getting turned down. Bill: Don't quit trying! You'll get it.

See also: keep, trying

quit a place

to leave a place. In the autumn, Melinda quit Paris and traveled south to warmer climes.

See also: place

quit on someone 

1. [for something] to quit while someone is using it. This stupid car quit on me. I hope this thing doesn't quit on me.

2. [for one] to leave one's job, usually suddenly or unannounced. Wally, the park supervisor, quit on us at the last minute. My assistant quit on me.

quit over someone or something

to stop working or doing something because of someone or something; to quit because of a dispute over someone or something. Please don't quit over a silly thing like that. She quit over one of her fellow workers.

quit while one is ahead

to stop doing something while one is still successful. When will I learn to quit while I'm ahead? Get into the market. Make some money and get out. Quit while you're ahead.

See also: ahead, one

some people (just) don't know when to quit and some people (just) don't know when to give up; some people (just) don't know when to stop 

1. You, or someone being talked about, should stop doing something, such as talking, arguing, scolding, etc. (often directed toward the person being addressed.) Bill: I hate to say it again, but that lipstick is all wrong for you. It brings out the wrong color in your eyes, and it makes your mouth larger than it really is. Jane: Oh, stop, stop! That's enough! Some people just don't know when to quit. John: Those bushes out in the backyard need trimming. Sally: You keep criticizing! Is there no end to it? Some people don't know when to stop!

2. Some people do not know when to slow down and stop working so hard. Jane: He just kept on gambling. Finally, he had no money left. Sally: Some people don't know when to quit.

See also: know, people, some