Call it a day

Jen:	Hello, and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Jennifer, and with me in the studio is ... yawn ... Helen.
Helen:	Hi Jen ... are you a bit tired?
Jen:	Oh yes, I really am. I've been here since seven this morning—I think I'm ready to call it a day now.
Helen:	What do you want to call it? Monday? Tuesday?
Jen:	Oh no, I don't mean ...
Helen:	How about Saturday? That's my favourite day. Or we could call it a new day altogether. What about Cake-day! Or Coffee-day.
Jen:	I don't want to rename the day. In English, if you're ready to call it a day, it means that you want to finish whatever you're doing—and usually go home.
Helen:	So you want to call it a day now? We haven't finished the programme yet.
Jen:	That's true. In that case, let's hear some examples of the phrase in action.

We're getting nowhere with this—shall we call it a day and start again tomorrow?
I'm getting picked up from work at five, so I think I'd better call it a day.

Helen: I see ... so if you call it a day, you decide that it's time to finish the work you're doing.

Jen: That's right, so let's call it a day right now.

Helen: Alright then. Do you fancy a quick drink after work?

Jen: Well, I'm feeling pretty tired, but I suppose I could come out for one drink.

Helen: Let's go then!

Voice: Some time later ...

(Nightclub music)

Helen: Jen, look at the time—we've been here seven hours!

Jen: I know! I don't know where the evening went. It's probably time to call it a night.

Helen: I thought the phrase was 'call it a day'?

Jen: We can also say 'call it a night' if you've been somewhere in the evening and you know it's time to go home.

Helen: Well, I definitely think that you need to call it a night, then. Although look ...

Jen: What?

Helen: The sun is coming up already. We've been out on the town all night. Perhaps we should call it a day instead?

Jen: That means it's nearly time for work again! Can I call in sick, please?

Jen:	That's right, so let's call it a day right now.
Helen:	Alright then. Do you fancy a quick drink after work?
Jen:	Well, I'm feeling pretty tired, but I suppose I could come out for one drink.
Helen:	Let's go then!
Voice:	Some time later ... (Nightclub music)
Helen:	Jen, look at the time—we've been here seven hours!
Jen:	I know! I don't know where the evening went. It's probably time to call it a night.
Helen:	I thought the phrase was 'call it a day'?
Jen:	We can also say 'call it a night' if you've been somewhere in the evening and you know it's time to go home.
Helen:	Well, I definitely think that you need to call it a night, then. Although look ...
Jen:	What?
Helen:	The sun is coming up already. We've been out on the town all night. Perhaps we should call it a day instead?
Jen:	That means it's nearly time for work again! Can I call in sick, please?