swear off
To promise yourself you will never do something again.
Meanings
To solemnly promise to stop doing, eating, or engaging with something, usually after a negative experience.
"After getting terrible food poisoning, she swore off sushi for the rest of her life."
"I've sworn off relationships for the time being."
— Commonly attributed to various celebrity interviews; widely used as a stock phrase in entertainment journalism.
To humorously or dramatically declare you will avoid something after an unpleasant event, not necessarily a lifelong vow.
"He swore off early morning meetings after the last one ran three hours over schedule."
Often used after a bad experience with something, with a slightly dramatic or humorous tone. More common in American English. Frequently used with food, drink, relationships, and activities.
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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