Kicking a bad habit B1
That moment you finally decide enough's enough and try to pack it in.
Saying you're quitting something
give up — quit a habitA: Are you still drinking coffee every morning?
B: No, I gave it up a few months ago.
cut out — stop doing or eating something (usually for health reasons)A: You look great! Have you been working out?
B: Thanks! I actually just cut out junk food.
break a habit B2 — stop a habitA: Still biting your nails?
B: No, I finally broke that habit last year.
Talking about how habits take hold
pick up B2 — acquire illness or habitA: Why are you coughing?
B: I must have picked up something from the office.
For nuanceC1 · for nuance
a vicious cycle C1 — self-worsening loopA: I keep spending too much, then I get stressed about money, and then I shop to feel better.
B: Sounds like a vicious cycle—you need to break it somehow.
Stopping the smokes
Tom: I've decided I'm going to give up the cigarettes for good this time.
Priya: Good for you. You were getting through a fair few at one point, weren't you?
Tom: Twenty a day. But I've cut out the morning one already, so that's a start.
Priya: Nice one. The hardest bit is breaking the habit of lighting up after a coffee.
Snacking at the desk
Gemma: I keep snacking when I'm stressed, then I feel rubbish, so I snack more. It's a proper vicious cycle.
Dan: Tell me about it. Have you tried just not keeping biscuits in the house?
Gemma: I've cut out the biscuits, yeah, but then I just picked up a chocolate habit instead.
Dan: Ha! One thing at a time. Break the habit slowly and it'll stick.