NATIONWIDE—You're likely to hear the phrase "suspending my campaign" at least a half-dozen times this year, and it’s more intentional than you might have realized.

Candidates are often careful to phrase their retreat as a "suspension" instead of just saying, "I quit."

Democrats and Republicans have seven presidential candidates left after former Florida  Governor Jeb Bush suspended his campaign this weekend.

His announcement drew gasps from his own supporters, and those at other primary night events across South Carolina.

But why do they suspend?

“Once you get down to it, you've got to anticipate you've got debts to pay, you've got salaries for employees,” said Dr. Susan Roberts, a Davidson College political scientist.

According to federal election law, a campaign can't have debt on the books when they officially close up shop.

They also can't take any more donations to cover that debt.

So they have to stay open at least to wind down.

Federal elections filings show the Bush campaign itself didn't have much debt — about $60,000 at the end of January.

It’s hard to know what the committee spent after that, becuase filings are typically made at the end of the month.

Anything left over from Bush’s final South Carolina push can go to a few places.

Firstly, you can back other candidates, says Roberts.

“You do have to abide by the federal limits,” but you could give a little to each Republican candidate.

You can also donate to charity.

“And you can hold it in thinking that you're going to run again,” Roberts said.

That’s not expected from Bush.

But the big money is in Bush's so called Super PAC, an unaffiliated non-profit that can take unlimited donations.

Super PACs can stay open long after a campaign has run its course.

PACs supporting Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum in the 2012 campaign are technically still operating.

Paperwork shows the pro-Bush Super PAC Right to Rise had about $25 million at the end of January.

Though in a statement, Right to Rise said they would no longer be supporting Bush after his concession.

Now they can back or oppose another candidate without limits.

“I would spend the money against Donald Trump, the man who took the wind out of [Bush’s] sails,” said Roberts.

Experts at the Sunlight Foundation say there's a liklihood Right to Rise will return donations.

But there's one final reason for suspending.

“You can say it was a good campaign, we worked hard, I thank you. I thank my opponent, but you don't have to take so much psychological responsibility,” Roberts said.

Basically, you can save face.

Right to Rise officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.