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!
Credits:
Host: Shannon Williams
Written by: Josipa Kosanovic
Graphic design: Dorry Wang
Educational consultant: Professor Lynda Yates
Produced by: Josipa Kosanovic
spk_0
Words we use, we say every day. Learn a phrase and use it your way. Call it a day.
spk_0
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.
spk_0
Became common with the meaning to stop work and not to return for the rest of the day.
spk_0
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.
spk_0
We've had a lot of meetings. Let's call it a day. When you finish a project or activity.
spk_1
I've been gardening all morning. I'm ready to call it a day.
spk_0
In casual situations when you want to stop whatever it is that you're doing.
spk_0
Have you played enough basketball? OK, let's call it a day then.
spk_0
When you're tired
spk_2
I've been cleaning the house all morning. Time to call it a day.
spk_0
And here's when some learners like to call it a day.
spk_3
Um, I recently did some fencing and was completely tired and just said, you know what, let's just call it a day.
spk_4
I call it a day when I start feeling too tired to focus.
spk_5
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.
spk_0
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.
spk_0
Let's call it a day. Ready?
spk_0
Say it out loud.
spk_0
I'm Shannon, and I'd like to respectfully acknowledge the Kammargal people of the Eora nation, whose land this podcast was recorded on.
spk_0
This is the SBS Learn English podcast.
