hang it up

USAGE SUMMARY

"hang it up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the idea of stopping, discontinuing, finishing, or quitting something. For example: "If you're not having any luck finding a job, I think you should just hang it up and start looking at other career options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

STUN the pig, hang it up by its trotters and slice it open.

The Economist

Hang it up on your wall.

The New Yorker

They'd also hang it up to dry.

The Guardian

"In March I was ready to hang it up," she said.

The New York Times

"I took that as my sign to hang it up," Gendreau said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not time for me to hang it up," Rodriguez said Friday.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's so obsessed with it he won't even trust me to hang it up for him.

The New Yorker

"We never got to hang it up there, so it's nice to have it back".

The New Yorker

He banters with the players, and even told Wright recently to "hang it up".

The New York Times - Sports

Forbes: But that this was the time to hang it up, at least for a moment?

Forbes

“If I could do a few more of those, I might hang it up,” Drant says.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hang it up" when you want to suggest someone should stop an activity, especially one they've been doing for a while. It often implies a sense of finality or resignation.

Common error

Don't use "hang it up" when you simply mean to put something on a hook or hanger. This phrase is primarily used metaphorically to indicate stopping or quitting something.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "hang it up" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression signifying the cessation or termination of an activity, often one pursued over a significant period. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

41%

News & Media

33%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hang it up" is a commonly used phrasal verb that primarily means to stop or quit an activity, particularly a long-term one like a career. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. While it appears frequently in news and general web content, it's less common in formal or academic settings. When aiming for formal communication, consider alternatives such as "cease the activity" or "discontinue the effort". The phrase is often used with a connotation of finality or resignation, as seen across numerous examples. Its frequent use in varied contexts makes it an important term to understand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call it quits

This alternative implies ceasing an activity or endeavor, similar to stopping or retiring.

throw in the towel

This idiom conveys the idea of giving up or admitting defeat, relating to ending an effort.

give up

This is a direct and simple way to express stopping an attempt or action.

cease the activity

This is a more formal way to say stop doing it.

discontinue the effort

Similar to "cease the activity", it's formal and suggests stopping a planned attempt.

bring it to a halt

This suggests stopping something abruptly or decisively.

bring to a standstill

Similar to "bring it to a halt", it suggests to stop it completely.

terminate the process

This is a formal expression for ending a procedure.

put an end to it

This phrase is a general way to say stop it.

stop doing that

This is a direct and simple way to say stop.

FAQs

What does it mean to "hang it up"?

To "hang it up" means to stop doing something, often referring to retiring from a profession or quitting a long-term activity.

How can I use "hang it up" in a sentence?

You might say, "After 20 years in the business, he decided to "call it quits" and "hang it up"." In this case, "call it quits" is an alternative for "hang it up".

What are some synonyms for "hang it up" when referring to quitting?

Alternatives include "throw in the towel", "give up", or "retire", depending on the context.

Is "hang it up" formal or informal?

"Hang it up" is generally considered informal. In formal situations, consider using phrases like "cease the activity" or "discontinue the effort".