English edit

Pronunciation edit

  • (file)

Etymology 1 edit

From the game of cricket, where a day's play is terminated by the umpire pulling up the stumps.

Verb edit

pull up stumps (third-person singular simple present pulls up stumps, present participle pulling up stumps, simple past and past participle pulled up stumps)

  1. (figuratively) To cease doing something, at least for the day.
Related terms edit

Etymology 2 edit

To cut off one's roots; or to pull up your house, (figurative) stumps & all.

Verb edit

pull up stumps (third-person singular simple present pulls up stumps, present participle pulling up stumps, simple past and past participle pulled up stumps)

  1. (US, figuratively) To relocate, emigrate, move one's home to some other place.
    Synonyms: pull up stakes, up sticks