Call it a day

Call it a day

Welcome to English in a minute.

You already know there are seven days in a week.

But what is the “it” in this expression?

Jonathan, I’ve been working in this project for the past 15 hours.

I am… so… tired.

15 hours?!

I think it’s time to call it a day, Anna.

I can’t stop now, Jonathan.

I must get this done.

The other half of the project isn’t due until next month.

For real?

Yeah.

Call it a day, Anna.

To “call it a day” means to finish doing something for now.

This expression is usually used when talking about a person’s work day.

From the looks of it, Anna probably should have Called it a day a few hours earlier.