Idiom B1 Informal / Semi-formal

Call it a day

To stop working on something for now; to decide you have done enough for the day

Meaning

Call it a day — To stop working on something for now; to decide that you have done enough and will end an activity, usually because you are tired or satisfied with your progress.

Origin & History

The expression dates from the late 1800s, when it emerged among workers describing the end of a shift. The earliest recorded form was actually 'call it a half-day', used when labourers decided to stop after only part of the working day, often because the work was finished or conditions made continuing impractical.

Over the following decades the phrase shortened and shifted to 'call it a day', meaning simply to declare the working day over — even if some hours remained. By the early 20th century it had broadened well beyond manual labour to cover stopping any task, project, or activity for the time being.

Example Sentences

SentenceContext
We have been painting for eight hours, so let's call it a day and finish the rest tomorrow.Stopping a task to continue later
The team called it a day once the report was submitted.Finishing work after a goal
It's getting dark — shall we call it a day and head home?Casual suggestion to stop
After three failed attempts to fix the engine, the mechanic decided to call it a day.Giving up for now after difficulty
The negotiators called it a day and agreed to resume talks in the morning.Pausing formal discussions
I'm exhausted, so I'm going to call it a day and get some rest.Stopping due to tiredness

How to Use It

This idiom works in both informal conversation and semi-formal contexts such as workplace emails and friendly journalism. It usually appears with a subject and a form of call, as in let's call it a day or they called it a day. It implies a deliberate decision to stop for now, often with the option to resume later, so use it when the pause is reasonable rather than a permanent abandonment.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

Let's call it the day and go home.

Let's call it a day and go home. — Always use 'a', not 'the'; the article is fixed.

We called it a days after finishing the project.

We called it a day after finishing the project. — Keep 'day' singular; the idiom never uses the plural.

She called the day a finish.

She called it a day. — Do not rearrange the words; the order 'call it a day' is fixed.

Similar Idioms

Knock off Wrap up Pack it in Call it quits All Idioms →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Call it a day" mean?
"Call it a day" means to stop working on something for now. It describes the decision to finish an activity, usually because you have done enough or are tired, and to continue another time if needed.
Where does the idiom "Call it a day" come from?
The phrase dates from the late 1800s. Workers originally said 'call it a half-day' when they stopped early, and this later evolved into 'call it a day' to mean declaring the working day over, even if some hours remained.
Can you give an example of "Call it a day" in a sentence?
Here is an example: "We have been painting for eight hours, so let's call it a day and finish the rest tomorrow." — used when someone decides to stop an activity for now.
Is "Call it a day" formal or informal?
It is mainly informal but works in semi-formal contexts too. It is very common in everyday spoken English at work and at home, and it appears in friendly emails and casual writing.
What CEFR level is "Call it a day"?
This idiom is typically taught at B1 level. It is an intermediate expression that learners hear often in workplace and everyday conversations.
What are common mistakes with "Call it a day"?
A common mistake is using 'the day' instead of 'a day'. The fixed form always uses 'a'. For example: Let's call it the day is incorrect. The correct form is: Let's call it a day.
What idioms are similar to "Call it a day"?
Similar idioms include: Knock off, Wrap up, Pack it in, Call it quits. These share the idea of stopping work or finishing an activity for the time being.
How do I practise idioms like "Call it a day"?
LexFizz's Flash Cards and Flip Tiles exercises are great for practising English idioms. Try writing your own example sentences using the idiom in context, and listen for it in films, podcasts, and conversations.
Can "Call it a day" be used in writing?
Yes. It works well in informal writing, friendly emails, and journalism. Avoid it in formal academic writing unless you are intentionally quoting or discussing the idiom itself. In blogs and casual notes it is a natural choice.
Does "Call it a day" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes, "Call it a day" is understood in both British and American English with the same meaning: to stop working on something for now. The idiom is widely recognised across all major varieties of English.