What does “call it a day” mean?

What it means

• Does “call it a day” mean to name the day? Nope!
• It means: to stop working and finish for now
• We often use it at the end of a work day.
• Example: It's 7 p.m. and we're tired. Let's call it a day!

Transcript

Tap a line to play it.

1. 0:00You already know there are seven days in a week,
2. 0:05but what is the "it" in this expression?
3. 0:09Jonathan, I've been working on this project for the past fifteen hours.
4. 0:14I am so tired.
5. 0:18Fifteen hours?
6. 0:20I think it's time to call it a day, Anna.
7. 0:22I can't stop now, Jonathan. I must get this done.
8. 0:27The other half of the project isn't due until next month.
9. 0:31For real?
10. 0:32Yeah.
11. 0:33Call it a day, Anna.
12. 0:34To call it a day means to finish doing something for now.
13. 0:40This expression is usually used when talking about a person's work day.
14. 0:45From the looks of it,
15. 0:46Anna probably should have called it a day a few hours earlier.

Quick quiz

1. Question 1 of 2

   What does "call it a day" mean?

   ATo choose a dateBTo stop working and finish for nowCTo call someone every dayDTo start a new day

2. Question 2 of 2

   In the video, why can Anna stop working now?

   AThe project is already finishedBThe other half isn't due until next monthCShe only worked for one hourDHer boss told her to go home