Take-one-s-ball-and-go-home definition

(idiomatic) To cease participating in an activity that has turned to one's disadvantage, especially out of spite, or in a way that prevents others from participating as well.

I don't play board games with John any more. Whenever he starts losing, he takes his ball and goes home.

verb
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Alternative Forms

Alternative Form of take-one-s-ball-and-go-home - take one's bat and ball and go home, take one's football and go home

Origin of take-one-s-ball-and-go-home

  • From the image of a group of children playing a sport with a ball that is the exclusive property of one of the participants.

    From Wiktionary