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Workplace idiomsidiom (verb phrase) · /kɔːl ɪt ə deɪ/

call it a day

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In simple English

To stop a particular activity, usually because you feel you have done enough for now or it's time to wrap up. Common in meetings and at end of work sessions.

Someone heard this phrase at the end of a meeting or work session and wants to know what it means.

At a glanceCEFR B1–B2
Commonness
Versatility
FormalityCasualFormalCasual
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenSpoken
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticNeutral
Region

Say it like this

✓I think we've done enough — let's call it a day.
✓We can call it a day and pick this up tomorrow.
✓Should we call it a day? We've been at this for hours.
✓Let's call it a day and get some rest.
✓Once this test passes, we'll call it a day.

Real examples

Standup

"We made good progress on the migration. Let's call it a day and sync again tomorrow."

Slack message

"Hey team, it's getting late. Let's call it a day and continue fresh in the morning 🙌"

GitHub PR

"Addressed most of the review comments. Going to call it a day — will finish the rest tomorrow."

Jira ticket

"Investigated the issue for 3 hours. Calling it a day — will resume with fresh eyes."

Retrospective

"We've covered the main action items. Should we call it a day?"

Sprint planning

"We've estimated all the priority tickets. Let's call it a day."

Pair programming

"This bug is tricky. Want to call it a day and look at it again tomorrow?"

Don't say this

✕Let's call a day.
✓Let's call it a day.— The idiom requires 'it' — you cannot drop it.
✕I'm going to call it the day.
✓I'm going to call it a day.— Use 'a day,' not 'the day.' It's a fixed expression.
✕Call it a day the project.
✓Let's call it a day on the project.— If you mention what you're stopping, use 'on' before the topic.

Other forms

base form

call it a day

"Let's call it a day."

present continuous

calling it a day

"I'm calling it a day now."

past simple

called it a day

"We called it a day around 6 PM."

present perfect

called it a day

"We've called it a day on the refactor."

Often used with

let's call it a dayMost common way to suggest stopping work together.
going to call it a dayAnnounces your personal decision to stop.
should we call it a day?Politely asks the group if they want to stop.
call it a day on [something]Specifies what task or topic you're stopping.
time to call it a daySignals that now is the right moment to stop.

Similar words

wrap upMore action-focused — means finish and close out.
finish upSimilar meaning but less idiomatic.
log offSpecifically means stop working at the computer.
sign offOften used when leaving a chat or ending a call.
knock offMore British and informal — means stop working.

Opposites

keep goingpush throughcontinuecarry ongrind on

More words

wrap upsign offEODpick up where we left offcontinue tomorrowtake a breaktime box

Questions

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