Meaning
Retire from hockey or, figuratively, give up a career or activity. Current, especially in hockey contexts Regional use: Canada, with some use in other skating and hockey countries.
Origin
A Canadian hockey expression first used literally for ending a season when mild weather ruined outdoor ice; DCHP records hang up the skates in Ontario in 1900. It then came to mean retirement from hockey or figure skating and was generalised by the mid-20th century to leaving other work. Older phrases such as hang up one's sword or boots supplied the pattern, while Canadian skating supplied the local form.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- hang up one's skates
- hang up the skates
- hanging up one's skates
Usage Examples
- After twenty seasons in goal, Patrice finally hung up his skates.
- The councillor says she will hang up her skates at the next election.