MiniPod: Call it a day | Words we use

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When we say call it a day, we mean to stop working on something, usually because you’re tired.

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Learn a new phrase and make your English sound more natural and interesting. Words We Use is a bilingual series that helps you understand idioms like 'call it a day'.

Call it a day comes from an older phrase, “call it half a day,” that was used in the 1830s, when workers left before the day was over. By 1919, the shorter version ‘call it a day’ became common with the meaning of to stop work and not return to it or an activity for the rest of the day.

Over time, it became a common way to simply say “let’s finish now” in all kinds of situations. You can hear it everywhere:

When you stop work after a long day:

We’ve had a lot of meetings. Let's call it a day.

When you finish a project or activity:

I’ve been gardening all morning. I’m ready to call it a day.

In casual situations when you want to stop whatever it is that you are doing.

Have you played enough basketball? Ok, let’s call it a day, then.

When you’re tired:

I’ve been cleaning the house all morning — time to call it a day.

Explore the entire series Words we use by clicking here to listen!

This episode is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Credits:

Host: Shannon Williams

Written by: Josipa Kosanovic

Graphic design: Dorry Wang

Educational consultant: Professor Lynda Yates

Produced by: Josipa Kosanovic

Transcript

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Words we use, we say every day. Learn a phrase and use it your way. Call it a day.

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Call it a day. Have you heard this phrase before? When we say call it a day, we mean to stop working on something, usually because you're tired. Call it a day comes from an older phrase, call it half a day. That was used in the 1830s when workers left before the day was over. By 1919, the shorter version, call it a day.

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Became common with the meaning to stop work and not to return for the rest of the day.

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Over time, it became a common way to simply say, let's finish now. You can hear it everywhere. When you stop work after a long day.

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We've had a lot of meetings. Let's call it a day. When you finish a project or activity.

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I've been gardening all morning. I'm ready to call it a day.

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In casual situations when you want to stop whatever it is that you're doing.

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Have you played enough basketball? OK, let's call it a day then.

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When you're tired

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I've been cleaning the house all morning. Time to call it a day.

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And here's when some learners like to call it a day.

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Um, I recently did some fencing and was completely tired and just said, you know what, let's just call it a day.

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I call it a day when I start feeling too tired to focus.

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Uh, I intend to call it a day and just before 5 o'clock, like 4:30, if I'm lucky, or sometimes even 6, 6:30. 0 God,

spk_3

you're asking way too many questions. Let's just call it a day.

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When is it a good time for you to call it a day? When you're tired, after working in the garden? When your project is finished? OK, now we've learned something new. Shall we call it a day and end this lesson? Let's say it out loud together.

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Let's call it a day. Ready?

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Say it out loud.

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I'm Shannon, and I'd like to respectfully acknowledge the Kammargal people of the Eora nation, whose land this podcast was recorded on.

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This is the SBS Learn English podcast.

END OF TRANSCRIPT