quit while one is ahead
Leave before losing
To quit while one is ahead is to stop doing something while you're still in a favorable position, rather than risking what you've gained by continuing.
The phrase often appears as advice to someone whose luck or success might not hold: You've won three hands in a row—quit while you're ahead.
It acknowledges that pressing one's advantage can turn into overreach.
- profitGain exceeding expenditure
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- timingArt of choosing moments
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
caution · discernment · play it safe · restraint · gain · strategy · walk away · risk aversion · gambling · choice · triumph · advantage · accomplishment · prevention · prioritization · victory · reward · benefit
quit while one is aheadpush your luck
Risk losing gains by continuing
tempt fate · double down · go for broke · let it ride · go all in
quit while one is aheadsnatch defeat from the jaws of victory
Fail when success seemed assured
insatiable · overreach · beat a dead horse · chase the dragon · move the goalposts
quits, quitting, quitter, quitters, while, whilst, ahead, headed, heading