Idioms for Ending Something: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering idioms is crucial for achieving fluency and understanding nuanced communication in English. Idioms related to ending something are particularly useful in everyday conversations, business settings, and creative writing. This article provides a comprehensive overview of idioms used to signify the conclusion, termination, or cessation of various activities, relationships, or projects. Whether you’re an ESL student, a seasoned writer, or simply looking to expand your vocabulary, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and examples necessary to confidently use these idioms in your speech and writing.

This article will cover common idioms, their meanings, usage examples, and practice exercises to reinforce your understanding. We’ll also address common mistakes and provide tips for using idioms effectively. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid grasp of idioms for ending something and be able to incorporate them seamlessly into your communication.

Table of Contents

• Definition of Idioms for Ending Something
• Structural Breakdown of Idioms
• Types of Idioms for Ending Something
• Examples of Idioms for Ending Something
• Usage Rules for Idioms
• Common Mistakes with Idioms
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics in Idiomatic Usage
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of Idioms for Ending Something

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meanings of the words in it. It is a figurative language construct that conveys a specific idea or emotion. Idioms related to “ending something” are phrases that describe the conclusion, termination, or cessation of an activity, event, relationship, or project. These idioms often provide a more colorful and concise way to express the idea of ending compared to literal language.

The function of these idioms is to add depth, nuance, and cultural context to communication. They allow speakers and writers to convey complex ideas with brevity and impact. Understanding these idioms requires familiarity with their specific meanings and the contexts in which they are typically used. They are classified as phrasal verbs, metaphorical expressions, or fixed expressions, depending on their specific construction and origin.

Context plays a crucial role in understanding idioms. The same idiom can have different meanings depending on the situation. For instance, “call it a day” might mean stopping work for the remainder of the day, while “pull the plug” might refer to ending a project or relationship abruptly. Therefore, paying attention to the surrounding words and the overall situation is essential for accurate interpretation.

Structural Breakdown of Idioms

Idioms are structurally diverse, often consisting of a combination of verbs, nouns, prepositions, and adverbs. The structure of an idiom is fixed, meaning that the words cannot be changed or rearranged without altering its meaning or making it nonsensical. Here are some common structural patterns:

• Verb + Preposition: These idioms often involve a verb followed by a preposition, such as “call off” (to cancel) or “break up” (to end a relationship).
• Verb + Adverb: Some idioms consist of a verb followed by an adverb, such as “shut down” (to cease operations) or “wind down” (to gradually decrease activity).
• Fixed Phrases: These are set expressions that have a specific meaning, such as “draw a line under it” (to put something behind you) or “the end of the road” (the conclusion of something).
• Metaphorical Expressions: These idioms use figurative language to convey their meaning, such as “bury the hatchet” (to make peace) or “kiss goodbye” (to give up on something).

Understanding the structural patterns of idioms can help learners recognize and remember them more easily. By identifying the key components of an idiom, such as the verb and preposition, learners can begin to infer its meaning and usage.

The following table illustrates the structural breakdown of different idioms related to ending something:

Idiom	Structural Pattern	Example Sentence
Call it a day	Verb + Pronoun + Article + Noun	After working for 12 hours, we decided to call it a day.
Pull the plug	Verb + Article + Noun	The company decided to pull the plug on the failing project.
Draw a line under it	Verb + Article + Noun + Preposition + Pronoun	Let’s draw a line under it and move on to something more productive.
Bury the hatchet	Verb + Article + Noun	After years of arguing, the two brothers decided to bury the hatchet.
Kiss goodbye	Verb + Adverb	We can kiss goodbye to our chances of winning the competition.
Call off	Verb + Preposition	They had to call off the wedding due to unforeseen circumstances.
Break up	Verb + Preposition	The band decided to break up after ten years together.
Shut down	Verb + Adverb	The factory was forced to shut down due to financial difficulties.
Wind down	Verb + Adverb	The company is planning to wind down its operations in that region.
The end of the road	Article + Noun + Preposition + Article + Noun	For that old car, it was the end of the road.

Types of Idioms for Ending Something

Idioms for ending something can be categorized based on the type of ending they describe. Understanding these categories can help you choose the most appropriate idiom for a given situation.

Ending Relationships

These idioms describe the termination of personal or professional relationships. They often carry emotional weight and can convey feelings of sadness, relief, or anger.

Ending Projects or Activities

These idioms refer to the completion or abandonment of tasks, projects, or activities. They can indicate success, failure, or a change in priorities.

Ending Employment

These idioms describe the termination of a job or employment contract. They can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Ending Existence or Function

These idioms signify the ceasing of existence, operation, or functionality of something, often permanently.

Ending Arguments or Conflicts

These idioms describe the resolution or cessation of disagreements or disputes.

Examples of Idioms for Ending Something

This section provides extensive examples of idioms for ending something, categorized by their specific meaning. Each example includes a sentence illustrating the idiom’s usage.

Idioms for Ending Relationships

The following table provides examples of idioms used to describe the end of relationships, both romantic and platonic. These idioms often carry emotional weight and can convey feelings of sadness, relief, or anger. Understanding these idioms is crucial for navigating conversations about relationships and their endings.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Break up	To end a romantic relationship.	After five years together, they decided to break up.
Split up	Similar to “break up,” but can also refer to non-romantic relationships.	The band decided to split up due to creative differences.
Call it quits	To end a relationship or partnership.	After many disagreements, they decided to call it quits on their business venture.
Go their separate ways	To end a relationship and pursue different paths.	The two friends went their separate ways after graduating from college.
Part ways	A more formal way of saying “go their separate ways.”	The company and its CEO have agreed to part ways.
Leave someone in the lurch	To abandon someone in a difficult situation.	He left her in the lurch when he quit the project without notice.
Cut ties	To end all connections with someone.	She decided to cut ties with her toxic family members.
Wash your hands of	To disclaim responsibility for or involvement in something.	I’m washing my hands of this whole mess.
Dump someone	To end a romantic relationship abruptly and often unceremoniously.	She dumped him after finding out he was cheating.
Give someone the boot	To dismiss someone, especially from a job or relationship.	He gave her the boot because he wasn’t happy.
Show someone the door	To ask someone to leave, often because they are unwanted.	After his rude behavior, they showed him the door.
Kick someone to the curb	To reject or dismiss someone harshly.	She kicked him to the curb when she found out about his debts.
Say goodbye	To bid farewell, often implying a permanent separation.	It’s time to say goodbye to our old habits.
Close the door on	To end an opportunity or possibility.	We shouldn’t close the door on any potential solutions.
Write someone off	To dismiss someone as a failure or as unimportant.	Don’t write him off just yet; he might surprise you.
End of the line	The final point; no further progress is possible.	For that old computer, it was the end of the line.
Call time on	To bring something to an end.	The referee called time on the match.
Reach the end of your tether	To reach the limit of your patience or endurance.	I’ve reached the end of my tether with his constant complaints.
Come to an end	To finish or conclude.	The concert finally came to an end after two hours.
Sever ties	To formally end a relationship or connection.	The company decided to sever ties with its controversial partner.
Fall out	To have an argument and end a friendship.	They fell out over a business dispute.
Be through with	To have finished with someone or something; to have no further interest in it.	I’m through with his lies and excuses.
Leave behind	To abandon someone or something.	She decided to leave behind her old life and start anew.
Get rid of	To dispose of or eliminate something unwanted.	We need to get rid of all this clutter.

Idioms for Ending Projects or Activities

This table presents idioms used to describe the completion, abandonment, or termination of projects, tasks, or activities. These idioms are useful in professional and personal contexts for discussing progress, setbacks, and final outcomes. They can convey a sense of accomplishment, frustration, or resolution.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Call it a day	To stop working on something.	After working for ten hours straight, let’s call it a day.
Pull the plug	To stop something from continuing, often abruptly.	The company decided to pull the plug on the unprofitable project.
Shut down	To cease operations or activity.	The website was shut down due to technical issues.
Wrap up	To finish something.	Let’s wrap up this meeting and go home.
Close the book on	To consider something finished or resolved.	It’s time to close the book on this chapter of our lives.
Put something to bed	To finish something, especially writing or editing.	We need to put this report to bed by Friday.
Bring to a close	To end something formally.	The chairman brought the meeting to a close.
Draw a line under it	To put something behind you and move on.	We need to draw a line under it and focus on the future.
Put an end to	To stop something from happening.	The new law will put an end to illegal hunting.
Terminate	To formally end something.	The contract was terminated due to non-compliance.
Cease and desist	To stop doing something, usually by legal order.	The company was ordered to cease and desist from using the trademark.
Be done with	To have finished something.	I’m finally done with this project.
Get something out of your system	To do something you’ve wanted to do so you can move on.	I needed to travel to Europe to get it out of my system.
Run its course	To come to a natural end.	The trend has run its course and is no longer popular.
Come to a standstill	To stop completely.	The negotiations have come to a standstill.
Reach a conclusion	To arrive at a final decision or outcome.	The investigation has reached a conclusion.
Put the lid on	To bring something to an end, especially something undesirable.	The government needs to put the lid on corruption.
Finish off	To complete the final part of something.	Let’s finish off this task before lunch.
Knock off	To stop working, usually at the end of the day.	What time do you knock off work?
Pack it in	To give up or stop doing something.	I’m going to pack it in and retire next year.
Be over and done with	To be completely finished and in the past.	I’ll be glad when this exam is over and done with.
Cut short	To end something earlier than planned.	The meeting was cut short due to an emergency.
Desist from	To stop doing something, often formally or legally.	The company was ordered to desist from using the copyrighted material.
Be through with	To have finished with something; to have no further interest in it.	I’m through with this tedious homework.

Idioms for Ending Employment

This table focuses on idioms related to the termination of employment, including being fired, resigning, or retiring. These idioms can be used in both formal and informal contexts to describe various employment situations.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Get the sack	To be fired from a job.	He got the sack for being late too often.
Be given the boot	To be dismissed from a job.	She was given the boot after the company downsized.
Get the ax	To be terminated from a job, often due to budget cuts.	Many employees got the ax during the recession.
Hand in your notice	To resign from a job.	She handed in her notice and is moving to another company.
Call it a career	To retire from a profession.	After 40 years in teaching, he decided to call it a career.
Hang up one’s boots	To retire from a job or activity, often sports-related.	The soccer player decided to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
Step down	To resign from a position, often a leadership role.	The CEO decided to step down due to health reasons.
Move on	To leave a job and start a new phase in your career.	It’s time for me to move on and find a new challenge.
Be let go	To be terminated from a job, often for reasons other than performance.	He was let go due to restructuring within the company.
Be laid off	To be terminated from a job, usually due to economic reasons.	Many workers were laid off when the factory closed.
Get the push	To be fired from a job.	He got the push for insubordination.
Take early retirement	To retire before the standard retirement age.	She decided to take early retirement to travel the world.
Be out of a job	To be unemployed.	He’s out of a job since the company went bankrupt.
Leave employment	A formal way of saying to leave a job.	She decided to leave employment to start her own business.
Clean out your desk	To remove your belongings from your workplace, typically when leaving a job.	He had to clean out his desk after being fired.
Part company with	To end a professional relationship.	The company parted company with its marketing director.
Give someone their marching orders	To dismiss someone from a job, often abruptly.	The boss gave him his marching orders after the mistake.
Be given your cards	To be dismissed from a job.	He was given his cards for poor performance.
Retire from something	To leave your job and stop working, usually because you are old.	She decided to retire from her teaching career.
Resign from something	To formally announce that you are leaving a job.	He decided to resign from his position as CEO.
Move on to pastures new	To leave a job and start a new one.	She decided to move on to pastures new after ten years at the company.
Find yourself out of work	To become unemployed, often unexpectedly.	He found himself out of work after the company closed down.
Be dismissed	To be officially removed from a job.	He was dismissed for gross misconduct.
Turn in your resignation	To formally submit your letter of resignation.	She decided to turn in her resignation after accepting a better offer.

Idioms for Ending Existence or Function

This table provides idioms that describe the ceasing of existence, operation, or functionality of something, often permanently. These idioms can refer to physical objects, systems, or abstract concepts.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Go out of business	To cease operating a business.	The store went out of business due to competition from online retailers.
Close down	To shut down a business or operation.	The factory had to close down because of financial difficulties.
Become extinct	To no longer exist as a species.	Dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago.
Die out	To gradually disappear or cease to exist.	Some traditions are dying out in modern society.
Run its course	To come to a natural end.	The disease ran its course, and the patient recovered.
Come to an end	To finish or conclude.	The era of handwritten letters has come to an end.
Reach the end of the road	To reach the final stage or limit.	The old car had reached the end of the road and needed to be replaced.
Fall by the wayside	To fail or be abandoned.	Many small businesses fell by the wayside during the economic crisis.
Go up in smoke	To disappear or fail completely.	All our plans went up in smoke when the project was canceled.
Be a thing of the past	To no longer exist or be relevant.	Typewriters are now a thing of the past.
Go the way of the dodo	To become extinct or obsolete.	Some fear that traditional libraries will go the way of the dodo.
Be consigned to history	To be relegated to the past and no longer relevant.	The old political system has been consigned to history.
Pass into oblivion	To be completely forgotten.	Many ancient civilizations have passed into oblivion.
Wink out of existence	To disappear suddenly and completely.	The star seemed to wink out of existence.
Be defunct	To no longer exist or function.	The organization is now defunct.
Be no more	To cease to exist.	The kingdom is no more after the revolution.
Shut its doors	To close a business permanently.	The restaurant shut its doors due to lack of customers.
Cease to exist	To stop existing.	The dinosaur ceased to exist millions of years ago.
Be terminated	To be formally ended.	The program was terminated due to lack of funding.
Be dissolved	To be formally terminated or ended, especially an organization.	The partnership was dissolved by mutual agreement.
Give way to	To be replaced by something else.	The old technology gave way to the new innovations.
Fade away	To gradually disappear.	The memories of that summer began to fade away.
Disappear from the scene	To vanish or no longer be present.	The suspect disappeared from the scene before the police arrived.
Kick the bucket	To die (informal).	He kicked the bucket after a long illness.

Usage Rules for Idioms

Using idioms correctly requires attention to specific usage rules. Here are some key guidelines:

• Context Matters: Always consider the context of the conversation or writing. The same idiom can have different meanings in different situations.
• Fixed Structure: Idioms have a fixed structure and cannot be altered without changing their meaning or making them nonsensical.
• Audience Awareness: Be mindful of your audience. Some idioms may not be appropriate for formal settings or audiences unfamiliar with colloquial English.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware that idioms are often culturally specific. What is common in one culture may be unfamiliar or offensive in another.
• Do Not Overuse: While idioms can add color to your language, overuse can make your communication sound unnatural or forced.

It’s also important to note that some idioms have variations or related expressions. For example, “call it a day” is similar in meaning to “call it quits,” but they are used in slightly different contexts.

The following table highlights some common mistakes and their correct usage:

Incorrect Usage	Correct Usage	Explanation
“I’m going to call it a night on this project.”	“I’m going to call it a day on this project.”	“Call it a day” refers to stopping work, while “call it a night” refers to going to bed.
“They pulled the plug in the relationship.”	“They pulled the plug on the relationship.”	The correct preposition to use with “pull the plug” is “on.”
“Let’s draw a line under from it.”	“Let’s draw a line under it.”	The idiom is “draw a line under it,” without the additional preposition “from.”
“She washed her hands from the situation.”	“She washed her hands of the situation.”	The correct preposition is “of,” not “from.”
“He gave her the shoe.”	“He gave her the boot.”	The correct idiom is “give someone the boot,” not “give someone the shoe.”

Common Mistakes with Idioms

One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong words or prepositions within an idiom. For example, saying “call it a night” when you mean “call it a day” can confuse your listener. Another frequent error is misinterpreting the meaning of an idiom due to a lack of familiarity. This can lead to awkward or inappropriate communication.

Another common mistake is using idioms in inappropriate contexts. For example, using a very informal idiom in a formal business presentation can be unprofessional. Similarly, using an idiom that is specific to one culture or region may not be understood by people from other backgrounds.

The following table provides examples of common mistakes and how to correct them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
“He kicked the bucket list.”	“He kicked the bucket.”	“Kick the bucket” is the idiom for dying, not “kick the bucket list”.
“Let’s burn the bridge when we get to it.”	“Let’s cross that bridge when we get to it.”	The idiom is “cross that bridge when we get to it,” meaning to deal with a problem when it arises.
“She is barking up the wrong treehouse.”	“She is barking up the wrong tree.”	The idiom is “barking up the wrong tree,” meaning pursuing a mistaken course of action.
“Don’t count your chickens before they hatched.”	“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”	The correct form is “hatch,” not “hatched.”
“He let the cat out of the bagpack.”	“He let the cat out of the bag.”	The idiom is “let the cat out of the bag,” meaning to reveal a secret.
“She is feeling under the weather balloon.”	“She is feeling under the weather.”	The idiom is “feeling under the weather,” meaning feeling unwell.
“He missed the boat anchor.”	“He missed the boat.”	The idiom is “missed the boat,” meaning to miss an opportunity.
“She is on cloud nine lives.”	“She is on cloud nine.”	The idiom is “on cloud nine,” meaning extremely happy.
“He took a rain checkmate.”	“He took a rain check.”	The idiom is “take a rain check,” meaning to postpone something.
“She is walking on eggshells shoes.”	“She is walking on eggshells.”	The idiom is “walking on eggshells,” meaning being very cautious.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of idioms for ending something with these practice exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the appropriate idiom from the list below.
(call it a day, pull the plug, draw a line under it, bury the hatchet, go out of business, break up, get the sack, wind down, run its course, close the book on)

Question	Answer
1. After working for 12 hours, I think it’s time to ______.	call it a day
2. The company decided to ______ on the failing project.	pull the plug
3. Let’s ______ and move on to something more productive.	draw a line under it
4. After years of arguing, they decided to ______.	bury the hatchet
5. The store had to ______ due to online competition.	go out of business
6. They decided to ______ after a long and difficult relationship.	break up
7. He ______ for constantly being late to work.	got the sack
8. The company is planning to ______ its operations in that region.	wind down
9. The trend has ______ and is no longer popular.	run its course
10. It’s time to ______ and move on to a new chapter in our lives.	close the book on

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in the following sentences.

Question	Options	Answer
1. The negotiations have come to a standstill. What does “come to a standstill” mean?	a) To make progress, b) To stop completely, c) To reach an agreement, d) To continue slowly	b) To stop completely
2. She decided to hand in her notice. What does “hand in her notice” mean?	a) To get a promotion, b) To resign from a job, c) To receive a warning,	d) To take a vacation	b) To resign from a job
3. They decided to call it quits. What does “call it quits” mean?	a) To continue working, b) To start a new project, c) To end a relationship or activity, d) To take a break	c) To end a relationship or activity
4. The project went up in smoke. What does “went up in smoke” mean?	a) To be successful, b) To be destroyed or fail, c) To be delayed, d) To be improved	b) To be destroyed or fail
5. He got the ax from his job. What does “got the ax” mean?	a) To be promoted, b) To receive a bonus, c) To be fired, d) To get a raise	c) To be fired

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences using the given idioms in a contextually correct manner.

1. After the argument, they decided to bury the hatchet… (and become friends again.)
2. The company had to pull the plug… (on the project due to lack of funding.)
3. It’s time to call it a day… (and go home after a long shift.)
4. Let’s draw a line under it… (and focus on the future.)
5. The store had to go out of business… (because it couldn’t compete with online retailers.)

Advanced Topics in Idiomatic Usage

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances and origins of idioms can further enhance their language skills. Here are some advanced topics to consider:

• Etymology of Idioms: Researching the origins of idioms can provide insights into their meanings and usage. Many idioms have historical or cultural roots that explain their figurative meanings.
• Regional Variations: Idioms can vary by region or dialect. Being aware of these variations can help you avoid misunderstandings and communicate more effectively with people from different backgrounds.
• Idioms in Literature and Media: Analyzing how idioms are used in literature, movies, and music can provide a deeper understanding of their stylistic and expressive potential.
• Creating New Idioms: While most idioms are fixed expressions, creative writers and speakers can sometimes coin new idioms or adapt existing ones to convey novel ideas or emotions.

Studying these advanced topics can help learners develop a more sophisticated and nuanced understanding of idiomatic language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering idioms for ending something is an essential step in achieving fluency and effectively communicating in English. By understanding their meanings, structural patterns, and usage rules, you can confidently incorporate these idioms into your speech and writing. Remember to pay attention to context, be mindful of your audience, and avoid common mistakes. With practice and exposure to authentic English content, you’ll develop a solid grasp of idioms and enhance your overall language skills. So, go ahead and start using these idioms to add color, nuance, and depth to your communication!