Quit means to stop doing something. • To leave or vacate real property. A landlord generally must give their tenant notice to quit the premises. • A notice to quit is a written notice sent by a landlord to a tenant stating that the landlord wishes to reclaim the prope…
quit — Definition and meaning
• To leave or vacate real property. A landlord generally must give their tenant notice to quit the premises.
• A notice to quit is a written notice sent by a landlord to a tenant stating that the landlord wishes to reclaim the property and that the tenant must vacate the premises by a particular date. Although state laws differ, the notice must normally be served physically on the tenant or placed in a visible location such as the front door, with a copy provided by certified mail. A lawsuit for unlawful detainer must be filed after such notice and the tenant's failure to quit (often referred to as eviction).
• A participant's employment is terminated by the participant for any reason other than death, disability, or retirement.See also: 30-day notice, cure or quit
The importance of quit
quit appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
How quit is applied
In practice, quit is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Cornell LII Wex , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.