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to hang up one's boots
01
to retire from a particular activity or occupation, especially one's profession or career
Dialect
British
British![to [hang] up {one's} boots definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/41692/original/?type=jpeg "to [hang] up {one's} boots definition and meaning")
Idiom
What is the origin of the idiom "hang up one's boots" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "hang up one's boots" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the sport of football (soccer), where a player would hang up their boots when they retired from the sport. It has been in use in English since at least the mid-20th century. This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone retires from a profession or activity, often after a long and successful career.
Examples
After thirty years as a firefighter, he finally hung up his boots.
