Pack It In, To
Pack it in, to - To give up; to stop trying. This term originated in the early twentieth century, and during World War I became military slang for dying. It alludes to packing one’s bags prior to departure. A definition appeared in Soldier and Sailor Words (1925): “To stop. To give up. To finish. To die.”
Related and Similar Terms
- Throw in the towel: To stop trying; derived from boxing, where a towel thrown into the ring signals the end of the fight.
- Give up the ghost: To die or cease functioning.
- Call it a day: To stop working on something, especially when work is done for the day.
- Wave the white flag: To surrender.
- Bite the dust: To fall to pieces; to die.
- Hit the sack: To go to bed; packing it in for the night.
Synonyms
- Surrender
- Quit
- Cease
- Abdicate
- Relinquish
Antonyms
- Persevere
- Continue
- Persist
- Carry on
- Stay the course
Humor-Filled Quote
“When you’ve hit the bottom, the only thing left to do is pack it in—so you might as well make it a Louis Vuitton suitcase!”
Proverbs and References
- Proverbs: “He who fights and runs away may live to fight another day.”
- Literature: “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller, where soldiers often face absurd and paradoxical decisions about when to pack it in.
- Movies: “Rocky” (1976), where the washed-up boxer decides not to pack it in, overcoming enormous odds.
Suggested Media
- Books: “The Old Man and The Sea” by Ernest Hemingway, a tale of perseverance even when it seems time to pack it in.
- Songs: “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey, an anthem for those who refuse to pack it in.
- Poetry: “If” by Rudyard Kipling, a poem about staying the course and keeping your head about you.
- Movies: “Forrest Gump” (1994), where he could have packed it in many times, but chose to continue running.
Inspirational Farewell
So, whether you decide to pack it in or press forward bravely, always remember: Life’s a journey, not a destination. Carry on—with packed bags, or with unpacked courage.
### What does "pack it in" mean?
- [x] To give up or stop trying
- [ ] To pack your bags tightly
- [ ] To overeat during a meal
- [ ] To keep pushing through challenges
> **Explanation:** "Pack it in" means to give up or stop trying. It originally came from military slang, implying the end of a journey or effort.
### Find the equivalent idiom for "pack it in":
- [ ] Reach for the stars
- [x] Throw in the towel
- [ ] Build castles in the air
- [ ] Hit the books
> **Explanation:** "Throw in the towel" is a similar idiom meaning to give up or stop trying. Another phrase with a similar meaning to "pack it in"!
### True or False: "Pack it in" originated as military slang
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! It became military slang during World War I, referring to the finality of packing up before leaving.
