hanging up one's boots
Leaving the game
To hang up one's boots is to retire from an activity, especially a sport or career.
The expression comes from football and other sports where players literally hang up their footwear when they stop playing competitively: After thirty years in journalism, she's finally hanging up her boots.
The phrase suggests a deliberate, often honorable conclusion to a long run.
- throwing in the towelAccepting defeat, stopping effort
- cessationA full stopping
- retirementLeaving the workforce permanently
- bowing outVoluntarily stepping aside
- stepping downVoluntarily relinquishing a role
passing the torch · wrapping up · winding down · final act · final whistle · resignation · saying goodbye · farewell · end of an era · moving on · turning the page · closing chapter · withdrawal · milestone · disengagement · leaving behind · departure · gear
hanging up one's bootscarrying on
Maintaining activity despite obstacles
soldiering on · persevering · going strong · pressing on · sticking with it
hanging up one's bootsdoubling down
Strengthening a risky commitment
ramping up · going all in · rolling up one's sleeves · diving in
hanging, hangs, hanger, hangers, boots, booted, booting, bootee, bootees