hand in one's checks

verb2

1. •
   (US, informal) To die.

   • When my ole woman was sick last winter and mighty near handing in her checks, I had no money to pay anybody to take care of her. — 1905
2. •
   (US, informal) To give up; to concede defeat.

   • 'I give up,' he cried; 'I hand in my checks. I never thought I should come to such things; but what happens when the things come to you? […]' — 1926