Quit while you’re ahead
📖 Meanings
- 1.
To stop before one's luck runs out.
- 2.
To stop pursuing or engaging in an activity when it is at its peak.
- 3.
To stop when things are going well, before the situation deteriorates.
- 4.
To withdraw from a situation at a point when one is winning or successful.
💬 Examples
- 1.
I think you've made your point, now quit while you're ahead.
- 2.
You're ahead in the polls—now's the time to quit while you're ahead.
- 3.
She knew she should quit while she was ahead, but she couldn’t resist one last bet.
- 4.
He decided to quit while he was ahead and resign from the company after the successful project.
🗞️ Etymology
- 1.
The idiom is believed to have originated in the United States in the 20th century.
- 2.
The phrase became popular in the 1930s.
- 3.
The phrase likely stems from sports and games where one is advised to stop while they are in the lead to avoid potential future losses.
- 4.
The idiom draws on the concept of 'quitting' or 'stopping' an activity while still at a 'high' point or advantage.
🔁 Synonyms
- 1.
get out while the getting is good
- 2.
leave on a high note
- 3.
bow out gracefully
- 4.
take the money and run
- 5.
cash in one's chips
🌀 Variants
- 1.
quit while you're still ahead
- 2.
quit while you are ahead
- 3.
stop while you're ahead
- 4.
leave while you're ahead
- 5.
withdraw while you're ahead