Bury your head in the sand

[1121] Call it a day

🎲 Can't judge a book by its cover
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To decide to stop working on something, either for the day or permanently.
  • To conclude an activity.

Origin

  • Likely originated late 19th/early 20th century among laborers. Finishing work ends the day of work.
  • Implies reaching a natural stopping point or deciding enough has been done.
  • Call it a night used for evening/night activities.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Stop working
  • Finish up
  • Wrap it up
  • Pack it in (Informal UK/Aus)
  • Clock off (End work shift)
  • Call it quits (Often implies giving up permanently)
  • Call it a night (For evening activities)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Let's wrap. / Wrap it up.
  • I'm outta here. (Announcing departure)
  • Time to bounce. (Slang for 'leave')
  • Knock off. (UK/Aus Finish work for the day)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Fuck this, I'm done. (Expressing frustration and stopping)

Milder/Standard:

  • Let's stop here for today.
  • We'll conclude here. (More formal)
  • Time to finish up.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Very common; appropriate in most work/activity contexts, informal to semi-formal.
  • Slightly informal for the most formal pronouncements, but widely accepted.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Generally straightforward. Means *stopping* the activity, not naming the day.
  • Note difference: call it a day (usually temporary stop) vs. call it quits (often permanent).

Examples

  • We've been working for hours; let's call it a day and finish tomorrow.
  • After ten years, the band decided to call it a day. (Meaning they disbanded)
  • Okay, team, great effort today. Let's call it a day.

Dialogue

Worker 1: Phew, I've been staring at this screen for 8 hours straight. My eyes hurt.

Worker 2: Yeah, me too. We've made good progress, though. What do you say we call it a day?

Worker 1: Definitely. I'll just save this file and head out. See you tomorrow.

Worker 2: Sounds good. See ya.

Social Media Examples

  • End-of-Workday Tweet: 10 hours coding... I think it's time to call it a day. Brain = fried. 😵 #DeveloperLife #WorkLifeBalance
  • Instagram Post (Artist): Spent all afternoon painting. Calling it a day for now! Happy with the progress. #Art #Painting #StudioTime
  • Group Chat: Long meeting, folks. Let's call it a day here and pick up tomorrow morning at 9?

Response Patterns

  • Typically agreement or acknowledgement.
  • Good idea, I'm tired.
  • Okay, sounds good.
  • Alright, see you tomorrow.
  • Finally!

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • People usually start packing up, saving work, saying goodbye, planning for the next session.
  • Sometimes quick agreement on achievements: We got a lot done.

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • Used to conclude an activity.

Intonation

  • Emphasis usually on call and day. Let's CALL it a DAY.
  • Often said with finality, relief, or conclusion.

Generation Differences

  • Used and understood by all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions.
  • Pack it in is more UK/Aus specific.
Bury your head in the sand
🎲 Can't judge a book by its cover