quit the funny stuff
To stop joking or fooling around and be serious. (Said as an imperative.) The boss told us to quit the funny stuff and get ready for the meeting. All right kids, quit the funny stuff and open your books to page 53.
(someone) (just) doesn't know when to quit
Someone would be better off not doing something or acting a certain way because it is or may become destructive, counterproductive, futile, or undesirable. Mark keeps antagonizing the boss with little snarky quips—he just doesn't know when to quit! My wife keeps spending our money on clothes she doesn't even wear. She doesn't know when to quit! That's the third time you've berated me for not taking out the garbage. You just don't know when to quit, do you?
quit while the going is good
To cease, end, or give up (doing) something before it becomes too difficult or the consequences become too severe. There are some reports that the market is about to take a dive, so I reckon we should quit while the going's good. Listen, kid, there's no way you can win this fight, so why don't you quit while the going is good?
quit (something) cold turkey
To stop doing something abruptly. The phrase is most often used to describe the sudden cessation of a drug. After smoking for so long, I should have never tried to quit cold turkey—the withdrawal symptoms are unbearable. I'm so impressed that you quit gambling cold turkey!
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.
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.
quit a place
to leave a place. In the autumn, Melinda quit Paris and traveled south to warmer climes.
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.
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.