Talking about serious choices can be hard. One of these choices is abortion, which means ending a pregnancy. People have different opinions about it, and it’s often spoken about quietly or in careful ways. Because of this, people sometimes use idioms or phrases to talk about it without saying the word directly.
Idioms are short sayings that don’t mean exactly what they sound like. They are used to share thoughts and feelings in a softer or more creative way. This article will help you learn 40 idioms that people might use when speaking about abortion. Each one will include its meaning and a few examples that make the idea easier to understand. This can help you notice these phrases in real life or in what you read.
Idioms for Abortion
1. End the journey early
Meaning: To stop something before it is finished.
For Example: She decided to end the journey early for personal reasons. / They ended the journey early and didn’t continue the plan.
Alternatively: Stop before finishing / Quit halfway
2. Pull the plug
Meaning: To stop something from continuing.
For Example: The doctor had to pull the plug on the treatment. / They pulled the plug on the project before it started.
Alternatively: Shut down / Cancel
3. Close the chapter
Meaning: To bring something to an end.
For Example: She closed the chapter on a hard time in her life. / They closed the chapter and moved on.
Alternatively: Finish / End a part of life
4. Call it off
Meaning: To cancel something.
For Example: They called off the trip at the last minute. / She had to call it off because of health reasons.
Alternatively: Cancel / Stop plans
5. Change course
Meaning: To make a different decision than before.
For Example: She changed course after thinking things through. / He changed course when the plan didn’t feel right.
Alternatively: Pick another path / Switch plans
6. Let it go
Meaning: To stop holding on to something or an idea.
For Example: She let it go and chose a new way. / He decided to let it go instead of pushing forward.
Alternatively: Release / Move on
7. Take another road
Meaning: To choose a different option.
For Example: She took another road when things felt too hard. / They took another road to avoid trouble.
Alternatively: Try a new path / Do something else
8. Cut it short
Meaning: To stop something before the end.
For Example: The play was cut short by the storm. / She cut it short after much thinking.
Alternatively: End early / Stop in the middle
9. Step away
Meaning: To leave something behind.
For Example: She stepped away to focus on her health. / They stepped away from the plan.
Alternatively: Leave / Walk away
10. Turn the page
Meaning: To begin a new part of life and leave the old one behind.
For Example: She turned the page and made a fresh start. / He turned the page and stopped looking back.
Alternatively: Start fresh / Begin again
11. Hit the brakes
Meaning: To stop quickly.
For Example: She hit the brakes when things felt too much. / He hit the brakes before going too far.
Alternatively: Pause / Stop suddenly
12. Take a different path
Meaning: To choose something else instead.
For Example: They took a different path after careful thought. / She took a different path from what was expected.
Alternatively: Change direction / Pick another option
13. Draw the line
Meaning: To decide not to go further.
For Example: She drew the line and said no. / They drew the line after learning more.
Alternatively: Say stop / Set a limit
14. Go another way
Meaning: To make a different choice.
For Example: They went another way instead of keeping the plan. / She went another way with her future.
Alternatively: Pick something else / Change route
15. Back out
Meaning: To stop being part of something.
For Example: She backed out of the idea after thinking more. / He backed out of the plan before it began.
Alternatively: Withdraw / Cancel
16. Walk away
Meaning: To leave something on purpose.
For Example: She walked away from a choice that didn’t feel right. / They walked away even though it was hard.
Alternatively: Leave behind / Say no
17. Put it behind you
Meaning: To stop thinking about something and move on.
For Example: She put it behind her and looked ahead. / He put it behind him and tried to feel better.
Alternatively: Move forward / Let go
18. Skip the step
Meaning: To choose not to go through with something.
For Example: She skipped the step that didn’t fit her plan. / They skipped the step to avoid pain.
Alternatively: Leave out / Avoid doing
19. Call it a day
Meaning: To stop doing something and be done.
For Example: She called it a day and didn’t go on. / They called it a day after talking.
Alternatively: Be done / Finish up
20. Shut the door
Meaning: To close off a choice or idea.
For Example: She shut the door on something that didn’t feel right. / He shut the door and moved on.
Alternatively: End it / Say no
21. Say no
Meaning: To choose not to do something.
For Example: She said no when the choice didn’t feel right. / They said no to the plan.
Alternatively: Refuse / Turn down
22. Take a step back
Meaning: To pause or stop for a while.
For Example: She took a step back to think again. / He took a step back before moving forward.
Alternatively: Pause / Wait
23. Pull out
Meaning: To remove oneself from something.
For Example: She pulled out before it started. / He pulled out after changing his mind.
Alternatively: Leave / Drop out
24. End it quietly
Meaning: To stop something without making it public.
For Example: She ended it quietly and didn’t talk about it. / They ended it quietly for privacy.
Alternatively: Stop in private / Be silent about it
25. Let it end
Meaning: To allow something to stop.
For Example: She let it end and moved on. / He let it end after much thought.
Alternatively: Allow to stop / Not continue
26. Cancel the plan
Meaning: To stop something before it happens.
For Example: They canceled the plan after a long talk. / She canceled the plan on her own.
Alternatively: Call it off / Drop it
27. Not go through with it
Meaning: To decide not to finish something.
For Example: She didn’t go through with it in the end. / He couldn’t go through with it.
Alternatively: Back out / Stop partway
28. Make the hard call
Meaning: To make a tough decision.
For Example: She made the hard call after thinking it over. / It was a hard call, but she made it.
Alternatively: Tough choice / Serious decision
29. Say goodbye
Meaning: To let go of something.
For Example: She said goodbye and started fresh. / He said goodbye to that plan.
Alternatively: End things / Move on
30. Close the door
Meaning: To end a chance or idea.
For Example: She closed the door and didn’t go back. / He closed the door on that path.
Alternatively: Shut it down / Say no
31. Cut ties
Meaning: To break away from something.
For Example: She cut ties with the plan. / He cut ties to feel better.
Alternatively: Let go / Leave behind
32. Choose a new way
Meaning: To pick something else.
For Example: She chose a new way that felt better. / They chose a new way together.
Alternatively: Switch / Try something else
33. Stop in its tracks
Meaning: To stop something right away.
For Example: She stopped it in its tracks before it began. / They stopped it in its tracks for safety.
Alternatively: Halt / Freeze it
34. Leave it be
Meaning: To stop doing something and not touch it again.
For Example: She left it be and didn’t go back. / He left it be and found peace.
Alternatively: Let go / Don’t go on
35. Take the off-ramp
Meaning: To exit before going too far.
For Example: She took the off-ramp to avoid more stress. / They took the off-ramp instead of going on.
Alternatively: Exit early / Leave the road
36. Close the file
Meaning: To stop thinking about or working on something.
For Example: She closed the file on that part of life. / He closed the file quietly.
Alternatively: Drop the matter / End that chapter
37. Stop the clock
Meaning: To end something before time is up.
For Example: They stopped the clock before it was too late. / She stopped the clock to move on.
Alternatively: Halt / End early
38. Draw back
Meaning: To pull away from a choice.
For Example: She drew back after more thinking. / He drew back before it started.
Alternatively: Step away / Pull out
39. Don’t move forward
Meaning: To decide not to continue.
For Example: They didn’t move forward with the plan. / She chose not to move forward.
Alternatively: Stay still / Stop
40. Break from the path
Meaning: To go off a plan or idea.
For Example: She broke from the path and did what felt right. / He broke from the path after a talk.
Alternatively: Leave the way / Change direction
Idioms for Abortion: True/False Quiz
- “End the journey early” means to let something continue for a long time.
True / False - “Pull the plug” means to keep something going forever.
True / False - “Call it off” means to stop or cancel something.
True / False - “Take another road” means to do something different instead.
True / False - “Step away” means to get more involved in something.
True / False - “Turn the page” means to stay stuck in the past.
True / False - “Back out” means to leave before something happens.
True / False - “Draw the line” means to decide where something must stop.
True / False - “Make the hard call” means to let someone else make an easy choice.
True / False - “Break from the path” means to leave a plan and choose a new way.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 10 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 7–9 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms nice work!
- 4–6 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Talking about abortion can be sensitive. People sometimes use idioms to speak about it more gently or privately. These phrases help express thoughts in a calm way. They can sound simple but carry deep meaning.
By learning these idioms, you can better understand what others might be trying to say. You’ll also know how to use soft words when needed. Keep reading and thinking about how words work. They matter more than we often think.
