hang up one's spurs

present singular third person hangs up one's spurs · participle present hanging up one's spurs · participle past hung up one's spurs · past hung up one's spurs

1. To quit, to stop engaging in a line of work or type of activity.

   Figured I'd find me some shack or lean-to and hang up my spurs.

   2012, Fern Michaels, Fancy Dancer

   3 more examples

   It made his wife a great deal happier, and in light of the fact that he had four kids, one of whom was still in diapers, it was probably a good idea to hang up his spurs, but God, he missed it.

   2012, Vince Flynn, The Last Man

   “He's not the first driver that's charked, and he won't be the last,” Modelar said, speaking low. “The day you no longer accept that is the day you hang up your spurs.”

   2014, Chris Evans, Of Bone and Thunder

   I did my fair share of reproducing; now, as they say, it's time to hang up my spurs.

   2015, Jimmy R. Watson, Big Jesus: A Pastor’s Struggle with Christology, page 133