noun
moment to quit; way to quit
Refers to the timing or manner of withdrawing from a situation, often used when knowing when to stop is important.
引き際が肝心だ。
Knowing when to quit is crucial.
彼の引き際は見事だった。
His timing in stepping down was admirable.
潮時 refers more broadly to the right time to do something, while 引き際 specifically focuses on the moment to withdraw or quit.
Compound of 引き (hiki, continuative form of 引く 'to pull, withdraw') + 際 (giwa, 'time, moment').