know when to fold 'em

verb

To exercise sound judgment in a situation that is precarious and uncertain.

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Meanings

verbknow when to fold 'em (third-person singular simple present knows when to fold 'em, present participle knowing when to fold 'em, simple past knew when to fold 'em, past participle known when to fold 'em)

present singular third person knows when to fold 'em · participle present knowing when to fold 'em · past knew when to fold 'em · participle past known when to fold 'em

  1. informalslangTo exercise sound judgment in a situation that is precarious and uncertain.

Origin

An allusion to a poker player knowing when to cut their losses rather than continue in an unfavorable situation.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

know when to fold 'em. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20when%20to%20fold%20'em

MLA

“know when to fold 'em.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20when%20to%20fold%20'em. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “know when to fold 'em,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/know%20when%20to%20fold%20'em.

Source: know when to fold 'em on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.