call it a day
/kɔːl ɪt ə deɪ/
to stop working for the day
In the video
The boss says: “Great work today. Let’s call it a day!” Peter thinks he has to phone someone named Day, so he picks up the phone and keeps ringing. At 9 p.m. he is still waiting for Day to answer.
What it really means
Here “call” doesn’t mean “phone”. It means “name” or “say that something is”. You are saying that what you have done is enough to count as a day’s work.
It is about deciding to stop, so you don’t have to wait for the end of office hours. You can say it after a long morning too.
When to use it
Use it when you stop working, studying or doing a job at home. It sounds relaxed. At night, you can say “call it a night”. It can also mean ending something for good, like retiring or closing a business.
Examples
- It’s 6 p.m. Let’s call it a day.
- We’ve finished the report, so I think we can call it a day.
- After 40 years, the owner decided to call it a day and closed the shop.
Common mistake
✗ It’s 6 p.m. Let’s finish the day.
✓ It’s 6 p.m. Let’s call it a day.
“Finish the day” doesn’t sound natural. When you and your colleagues stop work, say “call it a day”.
Similar phrases
- wrap up to finish a job or a meeting; it doesn’t always mean stopping for the day
- call it a night to stop for the night, after a party or evening work