get out while the getting's good

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

get out while the getting's good (third-person singular simple present gets out while the getting's good, present participle getting out while the getting's good, simple past got out while the getting's good, past participle (UK) got out while the getting's good or (US) gotten out while the getting's good)

1. (colloquial) To leave at an opportune time or before adverse conditions arise.
   • 1912, Sarah Comstock, The soddy‎^[1], page 200:

     Take your choice; get out while the getting's good, or we'll boom Glad-hand by starting a Boot Hill right here." A Boot Hill! Grinch reflected.

2. (idiomatic, colloquial) To sell all or part of one's holdings in stocks, real estate, a business, etc. while conditions are good, particularly in anticipation of a drop in prices.
   • 1924, “When You Put Through a Sale Without a Profit for Yourself Do You Call it a Sale?”, in James Artman, editor, The Commercial car journal‎^[2], volume 28, page 9:

     It costs pretty near as much to sell a used truck as a new one and there is usually ... close down business right away and get out while the getting's good.

Synonyms

• bail out
• 23 skidoo