IDIOMS ABOUT STARTING AND STOPPING

TO CALL IT A DAY – to stop doing smth when you decide that you’ve done enough.

A: Alright, Bobby, I don’t think either of us has any energy left to work on this device today, so let’s call it a day.

TO CALL IT QUITS – to decide to stop being involved in smth.

B: I’d rather call it quits for good, Ally. We haven’t made any progress in weeks and there’s no way we’ll get it ready for the competition!

TO SET THE BALL ROLLING – to start a process.

A: It’s not the best time to be pessimistic. We’ve already started the ball rolling.

TO NIP IN THE BUD – to stop smth early on before it has an opportunity to develop.

B: Exactly, we’ve only just started, so we can still nip this in the bud.

TO START FROM SCRATCH – to start from nothing, to make smth completely new.

B: We can give up this useless thing and start a new project from scratch.

TO CUT LOSSES – to get out of a losing situation.

B: We still have time to throw it away and cut our losses.

TO GRIND TO A HALT – to gradually slow down and stop.

A: We’ve known since the beginning that this project could grind to a halt but it doesn’t mean we’re going to fail yet.

TO BE UP AND RUNNING – to start and continue to function properly.

A: Just wait and see, our device will be up and running in no time.

TO KNOCK ON THE HEAD – to prevent smth from being developed further.

B: Fine. But if it doesn’t start working in a month, we will knock your plan on the head and try something different.

TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING – to start working on smth enthusiastically and successfully from the beginning.

A: Try what exactly? Are you going to hit the ground running with all your brilliant ideas?

TO BE IN BUSINESS – to have everything you need to do smth you planned.

B: Quiet! Did you hear that? Look! It’s finally doing something! We’re in business!

Test your knowledge of idioms about starting and stopping here:

Test 1

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