Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hang up one's spurs

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.78 in modern English

Syllables: hang up one's spurs
IPA

23

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

1

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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

Example Sentences

"Figured I'd find me some shack or lean-to and hang up my spurs."
"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."
"“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.”"
"I did my fair share of reproducing; now, as they say, it's time to hang up my spurs."

Etymology

Originally cowboy slang, implying that if one hangs up one's spurs, one no longer is using the tools of the trade.

Inflected Forms

hangs up one's spurs (present, singular) hanging up one's spurs (participle, present) hung up one's spurs (participle, past) hung up one's spurs (past)

Questions

What does hang up one's spurs mean?: To quit, to stop engaging in a line of work or type of activity.
Where does hang up one's spurs come from?: Originally cowboy slang, implying that if one hangs up one's spurs, one no longer is using the tools of the trade.

How to pronounce hang up one's spurs

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