give sth a rest

/ɡˈɪv ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ ɐ ɹˈɛst/

to give sth a rest

to put a sudden stop to something one was doing for some time

give it a rest

/ɡˈɪv ɪt ɐ ɹˈɛst/

give it a rest

used to tell a person to stop doing something or talking about a certain subject that is annoying one

Examples

1. Luckily he gave his nose a rest and finally dropped the habit by his 40s to focus full-time on his cigar addiction.

2. Give it a rest, will you?

3. Why don't you just give it a rest?

4. I couldn't continue reading, so I gave my eyes a rest.