The English We Speak

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

Page 1 of 2

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!

The English We Speak

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

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?