What does “quitte ou double” mean in French?

“Quitte ou double” is the French “double or nothing.” It comes straight from gambling, where you either wipe the slate clean (“quitte,” freed of your debt) or double your stakes on one last throw. In everyday speech “jouer quitte ou double” means to risk everything on a single shot — a make-or-break exam, an all-in business bet — with no middle ground.

“Quitte” traces to medieval Latin “quitus,” released from a legal or financial obligation — the same root that gives English “quit” and “acquit.” The phrase named a long-running French radio and TV quiz show, cementing it in the culture. Don’t confuse it with “être quitte” (to be even, all square) or “quitte à” (even if it means).