taking one's ball and going home

Verb

take one's ball and go home (third-person singular simple present takes one's ball and goes home, present participle taking one's ball and going home, simple past took one's ball and went home, past participle taken one's ball and gone home)

1. (idiomatic, informal) To cease participating in an activity that has turned to one's disadvantage, especially out of spite, or in a way that prevents others from participating as well.
   • In 1977 American auto industry leaders threatened to "take their ball and go home" by shutting down production of 1978 models unless they received yet a third delay in meeting the auto emission standards of the Clean Air Act.1978, "House Vote 13," In Common, Vol. 9, p. 52 (Google snippet view)