quito
B1Neutral. Common in both formal and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To stop doing something; to leave a job, place, or activity permanently.
To resign from a position; to cease engaging in a habit or activity; to give up or abandon; in computing, to exit a program.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a decisive, final, or permanent stop. When used for a job, it is more direct and informal than 'resign'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'quit' for jobs and habits. 'Quit' as in 'quit smoking' is very common in both.
Connotations
Equally direct/conversational in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be used in formal contexts in US English (e.g., 'he quit the board').
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
quit + noun (quit my job)quit + -ing (quit smoking)quit (intransitive: I quit!)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “quit cold turkey”
- “quit while you're ahead”
- “call it quits”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common: 'She quit her role as marketing director.'
Academic
Rare, except in informal student contexts: 'He quit the course.'
Everyday
Very common: 'I'm trying to quit sugar.' / 'He quit his band.'
Technical
Computing: 'Save your work before you quit the application.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She decided to quit her job after the merger.
- You really should quit moaning and do something about it.
- The player quit the club amidst controversy.
American English
- He quit his job to travel the world.
- I quit smoking five years ago.
- Just quit it, you're being annoying.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use in modern English)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use in modern English)
adjective
British English
- He was quit of his responsibilities at last. (archaic/formal)
- I'm glad to be quit of that old car.
American English
- She was quit of all her debts. (rare/formal)
- Once the paperwork is signed, you'll be quit of the obligation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I quit my football team.
- Please quit making that noise.
- He wants to quit school.
- She quit her job because she wasn't happy.
- It's very difficult to quit smoking.
- The actor quit the film after a disagreement.
- He resolved to quit gambling for good after losing a significant sum.
- The minister was forced to quit following the scandal.
- If the stress doesn't ease, I may have to quit.
- The CEO quit abruptly, leaving the company in a state of turmoil.
- She quit the board to avoid any perceived conflict of interest.
- After years of advocacy, he quit the organization, disillusioned by its inertia.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone saying 'I QUIT!' and walking out of a smoky room, leaving cigarettes behind. The word sounds quick and final, like the action.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEAVING IS QUITTING (quitting a job is like leaving a room), STOPPING IS ABANDONING A PATH (quitting smoking is like stepping off a bad road).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly from 'увольняться' in very formal contexts; use 'resign'.
- Do not confuse with 'quite' (совершенно).
- In 'quit + -ing', it's the action you stop, not the object (I quit smoking = I stop the act of smoking).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I quit to smoke.' Correct: 'I quit smoking.'
- Incorrect tense: 'He has quitted his job.' Correct: 'He has quit his job.' (quit-quit-quit).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'quit' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but direct. In very formal contexts for leaving a job, 'resign' or 'step down' is often preferred.
The principal parts are quit (present), quit (past), quit (past participle). 'Quitted' is very rarely used and considered archaic.
They are often synonyms, but 'give up' can sound more emphatic or admit defeat ('I give up!' on a puzzle). 'Quit' is more neutral for stopping a habit or job.
Rarely, as it describes a momentary decision. You would say 'I am quitting my job next month' (future plan) but not typically 'I am quitting smoking' while in the act.