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to hang up one's gloves
01
to retire or quit from a profession or activity that involves physical or competitive effort
Idiom
What is the origin of the idiom "hang up one's gloves" and when to use it?
The idiom "hang up one's gloves" is believed to have originated in the sport of boxing, where a boxer would hang up their gloves to retire from the sport. It has been in use in English since at least the early 20th century. This phrase is now used to describe a situation where someone retires from a profession or activity, often after a long and successful career.
Example
After 30 years in the industry, she's decided to hang up her gloves and retire.
He's been thinking about retirement for a while, and he may hang up his gloves next year.
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