take one's ball and go home

English - English

Definition of take one's ball and go home in English English dictionary

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.

Hyphenation

take one's Ball and go home

Turkish pronunciation

teyk wʌnz bôl ınd gō hōm

Pronunciation

/ˈtāk ˈwənz ˈbôl ənd ˈgō ˈhōm/ /ˈteɪk ˈwʌnz ˈbɔːl ənd ˈɡoʊ ˈhoʊm/

Etymology

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