He decided to go Galt and quit his job.
go Galt
idiomTo become a recluse and stop contributing to society, especially in the form of taxes, by reducing one's work or productivity or by refusing to follow societal norms that one believes to be unjust.
Origin
disputed originAfter John Galt, a fictional character in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged.
After years of frustration with the new tax laws, the business owner chose to go Galt and close his shop permanently.
Disillusioned by the increasing demands of the state, the brilliant engineer chose to go Galt, retreating into isolation to escape a system he no longer supported.
- 01
all dressed up and nowhere to go
Elaborately attired or otherwise fully prepared for an anticipated situation or activity which, nevertheless, fails to occur.
- 02
all systems go
Everything is ready.
- 03
as you go
While one is doing (something); as one progresses.
- 04
boldly go where no man has gone before
To break new ground.
- 05
come and go
To repeatedly appear and disappear; to be transient.
- 06
don't go there
Do not broach that topic.
- 07
easy come, easy go
Easily won and easily lost (usually said when resigned to a loss; something that comes in the same way, goes in the same way)
- 08
enough to go around
There is an adequate amount or supply of something for all of the people present or involved.
Last updated April 17, 2026