Definition

1. Phrasal Verb:
   • To stop working or to end an activity for the day: To decide that one has done enough work or activity for the current day and will stop.

Usage

This phrasal verb is used to indicate the decision to conclude one's work or efforts for the time being, typically for the rest of the day. It implies a sense of completion or that sufficient progress has been made.

Examples

• Phrasal Verb:
  • We've been painting for six hours; let's call it a day.
  • After reviewing the final report, the manager decided to call it a day and go home.

Advanced Usage

• "call it a night": A common variant used specifically when stopping an activity in the evening or at night.
  • The band played one last song and then called it a night.

Variants and Related Words

• Call it quits: A near-synonymous phrasal verb meaning to stop doing something, often permanently or after a long effort.
  • After years of arguing, they decided to call it quits and get a divorce.

Synonyms

• Stop: To cease an action.
• Finish up: To complete the final part of a task.
• Pack it in (informal): To stop doing something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Knock off (informal): To stop working, especially at the end of the day.
  • We usually knock off at five o'clock.

Related Idioms

• Call it a day itself functions as an idiom, conveying the decision to stop an activity.

Verb

1. stop doing what one is doing
   • At midnight, the student decided to call it quits and closed his books