quit while one is ahead

present singular third person quits while one is ahead · participle present quitting while one is ahead · participle past quit while one was ahead · past quit while one was ahead

1. idiomaticTo stop taking risks before one starts losing.

   Because I don’t get involved with he said, she said So take my advice and quit while you’re ahead Because one day I might not laugh

   1984, Whodini, Big Mouth

   1 more example

   Getting up on hot, rainy nights, trudging outside, and sitting on a steaming wet toilet seat, being tickled by the cockroaches that congregated just below the lid. Ten days at Gombe feels just right, thank you. I'm ready to quit while I'm ahead.

   2012, Craig Packer, Into Africa

   Synonyms: get out while the getting's good