quit while one is ahead

English

Verb

quit while one is ahead (third-person singular simple present quits while one is ahead, present participle quitting while one is ahead, simple past and past participle quit while one was ahead)

1. (idiomatic) To stop taking risks before one starts losing.
   • 2012, Craig Packer, Into Africa:

     Getting up on hot, rainy nights, trudging outside, and sitting on a steaming wet toilet seat, being tickled by the cockroaches that congregated just below the lid. Ten days at Gombe feels just right, thank you. I'm ready to quit while I'm ahead.

   • 1984, Whodini, Big Mouth:

     Because I don’t get involved with he said, she said
     So take my advice and quit while you’re ahead
     Because one day I might not laugh