The English We Speak
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2012
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bbclearningenglish.com
The English We Speak
Call it a day
17 March 2012
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.
Examples
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!
