fold one's tent
To withdraw, especially in a discreet manner; to disengage; to quit.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The project failed, so we decided to fold our tents.”
“After the business lost money for three years, the owners finally decided to fold their tents and move on.”
“Realizing that the political climate had shifted against their cause, the activists chose to fold their tents rather than continue a futile struggle.”
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026