verb phrase🎓 English idiom

call it a day

to stop working for now

What it means

To decide to stop working on something for now, usually because enough has been done or you are tired. It can also mean to end an activity or even a long-running project for good.

Examples

  • It's getting late, so let's call it a day and finish tomorrow.
  • After eight hours of painting, we decided to call it a day.
  • The team called it a day once the report was submitted.
  • He's worked here forty years and is ready to call it a day.

Where it comes from

Originating in the late 19th century (sometimes as 'call it half a day'), it refers to declaring the working day finished. The shorter form became standard in the early 20th century.

Related idioms

#throw in the towel#pull the plug#hit the sack#back to square one

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