PhrasesHub

Pull up stakes

    Definitions

      • to leave a place
        To pack up and leave a location or situation, usually in search of something better or different

      • to make a fresh start
        To start anew in a different place or situation, often with the intention of leaving behind problems or difficulties

    Examples of Pull up stakes

    • John's company decided to pull up stakes and relocate to a new city.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a person or company decides to abandon an existing location and move to a new one. The phrase "pull up stakes" comes from the old practice of removing wooden stakes from the ground as a way of packing up a temporary campsite. Here, it can be seen as a metaphorical way of describing a major change in location.

    • After years of struggling in her career, Jane decided it was time to pull up stakes and start her own business.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a significant personal decision. In this case, the speaker is using it to describe someone making a bold move to change their life direction by starting their own business instead of working for someone else.

    • The government announced that they would be pulling up stakes and withdrawing military personnel from the area due to escalating violence.

      Here, the idiom highlights the fact that a large-scale change in the military presence is about to take place. The phrase "pulling up stakes" is used in this context to convey the idea that a major action is being taken to move troops out of a particular location due to some unavoidable or unfavorable circumstances.

    • After a long and challenging few years, the couple decided it was time to pull up stakes and start a new life together, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

      In this final example, the idiom is used to describe a couple making a significant lifestyle change. They have decided to move away from the city to start afresh and escape the crowded and high-pressure urban environment. This example shows how the idiom can be used to convey the idea of a significant and often drastic life change.

    • The family decided to pull up stakes and move to a new city in search of better job opportunities.

      This idiom is used to describe the act of leaving a place permanently, usually due to the desire for change or improvement. "Pulling up stakes" refers to the process of removing the pegs or poles that hold a tent or temporary dwelling in place, implying that the family is leaving their current home or settlement.

    • After years of struggling to make a profit, the company pulled up stakes and relocated to a more favorable business environment.

      This example extends the use of the idiom to refer to a business decision to leave a location or market due to unfavorable conditions. By "pulling up stakes," the company is abandoning the failed location or market and moving to a more profitable one.

    • The soldiers were ordered to pull up stakes and retreat to a safer location as enemy forces closed in.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in a military context, where "pulling up stakes" means dismantling and abandoning a temporary camp or position due to danger or disadvantage. By retreating, the soldiers are giving up their current location to avoid being overrun by enemy troops.

    • After years of hard work and investment, the farmer finally pulled up stakes and retired to a comfortable lifestyle.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be applied to personal decisions, such as retiring from a career or leaving a place due to achieving a goal. By "pulling up stakes," the farmer is abandoning his hard work and dedication to agriculture and settling into a relaxed and enjoyable lifestyle as a retiree.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "pull up stakes" can be used to indicate both physically leaving a place and starting fresh in a new location. It is often used to convey the idea of seeking something better or different, whether it be a new job, a new home, or a new beginning. The idiom is commonly used in a figurative sense to signify a major change or transition in one's life.

    Origin of "Pull up stakes"

    The origin of the idiom "pull up stakes" can be traced back to the practice of pioneers and early settlers in America. When people decided to move to a new location, they would literally pull up the wooden stakes that held their tents or temporary structures in place and move them to the new site. This action symbolized the decision to leave the current location and seek a fresh start elsewhere.

    Over time, the literal practice of pulling up stakes evolved into a figurative expression that is now used to convey the idea of leaving a place or situation to start anew. The idiom has become a common way to describe the act of moving on from one's current circumstances in search of something better.