PhrasesHub

hang up my apron

    Definitions

      • retirement or resignation
        Informally expressing one's decision to retire or leave a job or position, often used in a lighthearted or humorous manner

      • giving up on something
        Conveying the abandonment or cessation of a particular activity or pursuit, often due to frustration or lack of progress

    Examples of hang up my apron

    • After a long day of cooking at the restaurant, the chef finally hung up his apron and left for the day.

      In this example, "hang up my apron" is used as a metaphor for the chef's decision to stop working for the day. It implies that the chef has finished his duties and is ready to leave work.

    • After the meeting, the CEO hung up her apron and invited everyone for dinner.

      In this example, "hang up my apron" is used in a more unconventional way. Here, it could be interpreted as the CEO taking off her professional hat and instead, switching to a more personal role as a host for dinner. It emphasizes that the CEO is now more relaxed and informal after completing her work-related obligations.

    • My grandmother used to hang up her apron each evening, as she believed that cooking was a duty that should be completed before relaxing.

      In this example, "hang up my apron" is used to show that the grandmother had a traditional outlook towards cooking and work-life balance. It suggests that she placed a great value on completing her work before settling down for the evening.

    • I hung up my apron after the wedding planner's final approval and breathed a sigh of relief.

      In this example, "hang up my apron" is used to describe the wedding planner's process of completing her work and finishing a project successfully. It implies that the planner has put in all her efforts and is now ready to unwind after the event's conclusion.

    • After a long day in the kitchen, Maria hung up her apron and collapsed onto the couch, ready to put her feet up and relax.

      In this example, "hang up my apron" is used to describe the action of removing and storing an apron after completing cooking or cleaning tasks. It implies that the person is ending their role in that specific activity and ready to engage in something else. In this case, Maria wants to transition from her job as a cook to her role as a relaxed individual.

    • The chef announced that he would be hanging up his apron and retiring from the industry after his final service.

      Here, "hang up my apron" is used figuratively to describe someone's decision to leave a job or career. It highlights the symbolic nature of removing an apron, representing the end of one phase and the beginning of another. In this example, the chef is retiring, and the act of hanging up his apron is a tangible way to represent his departure from the culinary industry.

    • The waitress hung up her apron and headed to the break room to grab a snack after a particularly hectic dinner service.

      This example utilizes "hang up my apron" in a more literal sense to describe the act of removing an apron after completing a shift. It signifies the conclusion of an assigned duty and the start of a personal break. In this case, the waitress is both physically and figuratively hanging up her apron, as she is finishing her responsibilities and transitioning to a separate activity.

    • The baker explained that she had been hanging up her apron to pursue a culinary degree, and hoped to return to the bakery someday in a different role.

      Here, "hang up my apron" is employed metaphorically to describe someone's decision to leave a position temporarily. It portrays the idea of setting aside a particular role to take on a new challenge or goal. In this context, the baker is temporarily resigning from her normal duties to pursue higher education, implying that she will wear her apron again when she returns to her job.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "hang up my apron" can be used to signify retirement or resignation from a job or position, as well as giving up on a particular activity or pursuit due to frustration or lack of progress.

    Origin of "hang up my apron"

    The phrase "hang up my apron" originates from the act of a cook or chef hanging their apron after finishing work in the kitchen. The apron symbolizes the end of a day's work or the completion of a task. Over time, the idiom has evolved to represent the idea of retiring or resigning from a job or giving up on a pursuit. It is often used in a light-hearted or jovial manner, reflecting the informal nature of the original expression. The use of "hang up" suggests a sense of finality and closure, emphasizing the decision to move on from a particular role or activity. Overall, the idiom carries a sense of relief or release, indicating a decision to step away from a certain responsibility or endeavor.