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close up shop

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close up shop

Fig. to quit working, for the day or forever. (Fixed order.) It's five o'clock. Time to close up shop. I can't make any money in this town. The time has come to close up shop and move to another town.

See also: close, shop, up

close up shop

also shut up shop

to stop doing business Poulin says high taxes and global competition have forced him to close up shop.

Opposite of: set up shop

See also: close, shop, up