These expressions are used to describe retirement, the planning involved, and the feelings around it.
Retirement Expressions
- Hang up one’s boots
Meaning: Retire from work
Example: He’s finally hanging up his boots. - Step down
Meaning: Leave a job or position
Example: She stepped down as CEO last year. - Call it a day
Meaning: Retire from work
Example: He’s calling it a day after 40 years. - Take early retirement
Meaning: Retire before the usual age
Example: She took early retirement at 55. - Pack it in
Meaning: Stop working
Example: He packed it in and retired. - Bow out
Meaning: Leave a job gracefully
Example: He bowed out after a long career. - Put one’s feet up
Meaning: Relax after retirement
Example: She’s ready to put her feet up. - Ride off into the sunset
Meaning: Retire and enjoy a peaceful life
Example: He rode off into the sunset last year. - Call it quits
Meaning: Retire from work
Example: She’s calling it quits after 30 years. - Wrap it up
Meaning: Finish work for good
Example: He’s ready to wrap it up and retire. - Wind down
Meaning: Gradually reduce work before retiring
Example: He’s winding down his workload. - Go out to pasture
Meaning: Retire from active work
Example: He went out to pasture after 35 years. - Hit the golden years
Meaning: Reach retirement age
Example: He’s hitting the golden years at last. - Live off one’s pension
Meaning: Rely on retirement savings
Example: He’s living off his pension comfortably. - Leave the rat race
Meaning: Retire from a hectic job
Example: She left the rat race and retired. - Make way for
Meaning: Retire to allow someone else to step in
Example: He made way for a new manager. - Kick back
Meaning: Relax after retirement
Example: Now he’s kicking back and enjoying life. - Enjoy the fruits of one’s labor
Meaning: Benefit from years of work
Example: She’s enjoying the fruits of her labor. - Put in for retirement
Meaning: Formally request retirement
Example: He’s putting in for retirement next month. - Hand over the reins
Meaning: Pass on leadership to a successor
Example: She’s handing over the reins to her successor.
