# hang up one's boots

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hang-up-ones-boots
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to retire, call it a day (used especially in the context of sports).

## Examples

- The veteran player decided to hang up his boots after this season.
- After twenty years of professional competition, the champion athlete finally decided it was time to hang up his boots.
- Following a career defined by relentless intensity and numerous accolades, the aging captain announced his intention to hang up his boots at the conclusion of the championship match.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.