give it a rest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give it a rest" is a correct and commonly used idiomatic expression in written English.
It is often used as a command to tell someone to stop talking or doing something that is annoying or bothersome. Example: "I've heard enough about your new car, will you please give it a rest?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Let's give it a rest.

The New York Times

My god, give it a rest, lady.

The New York Times

Or, give it a rest.

The New York Times

Give it a rest now.

The Guardian - Opinion

So give it a rest, boomers.

The New York Times

So let's give it a rest.

The New York Times

Jesus, give it a rest, will you?

The Guardian - Music

Now give it a rest, would you?

The Guardian - Film

People going to give it a rest now?? Jesus Christ".

Independent

Stripes and polka dots -- give it a rest.

The New York Times

Enrico: Do give it a rest / Carry out my behest.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give it a rest" when you want to express that something has been overdone or discussed excessively. It's suitable for informal conversations but avoid using it in formal writing.

Common error

While "give it a rest" is common, avoid using it repeatedly in a short span. Vary your language with alternatives like "enough already" or "drop it" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give it a rest" functions primarily as an imperative, urging the listener to cease an action or discussion. Ludwig confirms its common usage. Examples in Ludwig show it used to express exasperation or to suggest taking a break.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give it a rest" is a common and idiomatic expression used to tell someone to stop doing something, whether it's talking about a particular subject or engaging in a specific action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used, predominantly in informal contexts, such as casual conversation or opinion pieces in news media. The phrase serves as an imperative, expressing annoyance or suggesting that something has been overdone. While highly prevalent, varying your language with synonyms like "enough already" or "drop it" can enhance your writing style. It's best to avoid using "give it a rest" in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enough already

Expresses exasperation and a desire for something to stop immediately.

drop it

Indicates a desire to end a topic of conversation or a line of action.

knock it off

A more direct and informal way to tell someone to stop doing something annoying.

cut it out

A straightforward way to tell someone to stop doing something annoying or disruptive.

lay off it

Means to stop bothering or harassing someone about something.

pack it in

British slang suggesting to stop an activity, often implying tiredness or frustration.

let it go

Suggests releasing or ceasing focus on something, often implying acceptance or moving on.

cease and desist

This is a legal term, more formal and forceful, implying an official order to stop something.

leave it alone

Suggests ceasing interaction with something, often used when something is being meddled with.

call it quits

Suggests stopping an activity, often implying ending something permanently or for a significant time.

FAQs

How can I use "give it a rest" in a sentence?

You can use "give it a rest" to tell someone to stop talking about something, as in, "I've heard enough about your diet, can you just "give it a rest"?". It can also mean to take a break from something.

What's a more formal way to say "give it a rest"?

In a more formal context, you could say "cease and desist" if you want someone to stop doing something, although this is typically reserved for legal contexts. Alternatively, you can politely ask someone to "drop it".

When is it appropriate to use "give it a rest"?

It's appropriate to use "give it a rest" in informal settings when you want to express that something has been said or done enough. It's best avoided in formal or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "give it a rest" and "leave it alone"?

"Give it a rest" typically refers to stopping a repetitive action or topic of conversation, while "leave it alone" means to stop interfering with something. The first one is about someone doing/repeating a task, the second is about someone messing with an object.