fold one's tent

Definitions

To withdraw, especially in a discreet manner; to disengage; to quit.

idiomatic

Examples

“1844, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "The Day is Done" (proem to The Waif), lines 41-44, And the night shall be filled with music, And the cares that infest the day Shall fold⟳ their tents like⟳ the Arabs, And as silently steal⟳ away.”

“"I won't quietly fold⟳ my tent and go away," snapped Sister Catherine.”

“Following the failure of the Quilty forces to obtain⟳ the BL/GPA endorsement in June, the PAC folded its tents and did not meet⟳ again.”

“There are a good number⟳ of Democrats who are unhappy with John Kerry, thinking he folded his tent without a fight⟳.”

CEFR level