# quiet quit

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/quiet-quit
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To cease overachieving at one's workplace to focus on one's personal life; to do only what is reasonably or contractually required.

## Examples

- I decided to quiet quit and stop working late every night.
- After years of burnout, she chose to quiet quit by doing only her assigned tasks.
- Rather than resigning outright, the disillusioned employee began to quiet quit, performing his duties with minimal effort to reclaim his personal time.

## Origin

Attested in the early 21st century as a back-formation from the gerund phrase quiet quitting.

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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.