call it a day

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Ret's Word of the Day

Call it a Day

/ˈkɔːl ɪt ə deɪ/

(Pronounced: cawl it ə dey)
🔊 Hear it on YouGlish

Definition

The meaning: Call it a day means to stop working for the day or to conclude an activity, often because one feels satisfied with what has been accomplished.

Call it a day signifie arrêter de travailler pour la journée ou conclure une activité, souvent parce qu'on se sent satisfait de ce qui a été accompli.

Example: "After hours of meetings, we decided to call it a day and reconvene tomorrow."

Word Analysis

In French
  • Terminer la journée
  • Arrêter de travailler
  • Conclure
  • Finir
  • Mettre un terme
Synonyms
  • Wrap up
  • Finish up
  • Stop for the day
  • Conclude
  • End the day
Antonyms
  • Continue
  • Persist
  • Keep going
  • Extend
  • Carry on

Example Dialogue

Thabo: "I'm so exhausted after all this work! I think it's time to call it a day."
Lerato: "I agree, we've accomplished a lot today. Let's wrap things up."
Thabo: "It feels good to finish early for once."
Lerato: "Definitely! Tomorrow is another day."

Etymology

The phrase call it a day has origins in the early 20th century and is believed to stem from the practice of concluding work at the end of the day. It signifies a decision to stop working, often used in informal contexts.

Work Conclusion: The phrase emphasizes the idea of finishing tasks and recognizing the end of a working period.

Common Usage: Over time, it has become a colloquial expression used in various settings, from workplaces to casual conversations.

Audience

Call it a day is a phrase that is widely understood and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It often appears in conversations about work, productivity, and time management, making it relevant in various settings.

When to use: Call it a day is appropriate when concluding tasks, whether in casual discussions among friends or in professional environments. It conveys a sense of completion and can be used to express satisfaction with the work accomplished or the need to take a break.

Dictionary Meaning

Call it a day [idiom]: The Free Dictionary defines it as 'to quit work and go home; to say that a day's work has been completed.' It provides examples such as: 'I'm tired. Let's call it a day.' And 'The boss was mad because Tom called it a day at noon and went home.' The expression highlights the importance of recognising when to stop and recharge.

News Snippet

"Next on the list of record is Margaret Court’s tally of 24 Grand Slams. While for most athletes this might seem unthinkable; for Williams, it simply seems to be business as usual. Since turning 30, Williams has redefined expectations of modern-day athletes. In her thirties, when most professionals have long since called it a day, Williams has won nine titles and has become the oldest player to win a grand slam singles title in the Open era, breaking her own record set last year." [Daily Maverick]

Read the Full Article

Extra! Extra!

La phrase call it a day fait référence à la décision d'arrêter de travailler ou de conclure une activité, généralement après s'être senti satisfait de la quantité de travail accomplie. Cela exprime un sentiment d'achèvement et souligne l'importance de reconnaître quand il est temps de faire une pause.

Cette expression est largement utilisée dans des contextes à la fois informels et formels, indiquant un accord collectif pour faire une pause ou terminer les tâches de la journée. Elle met en avant l'équilibre entre productivité et repos, soulignant la nécessité de prendre du recul pour se ressourcer avant de continuer avec les projets futurs.


WordReference

When exploring the nuances of words, sometimes dictionaries don't provide enough context. The WordReference Forums offer insightful discussions that delve into the subtleties of language, including idiomatic expressions, usage nuances, and translations across languages.

Here are some links to help you better navigate WordReference:
Forum discussion on today's word of the day.

English⇄English Forum–Discuss and learn about word usage.
English⇄French Forum–Explore translations and language nuances.
Synonyms⇄Antonyms Forum–Contextual variations, etc.

Common Idioms and Expressions

"Call it a night": Like "call it a day," but specifically refers to ending evening activities.
"Pack it in": To stop working or to conclude an activity.
"Wrap it up": To finish something, often used when concluding a meeting or task.
"Throw in the towel": To give up or admit defeat, often after a struggle (also in boxing).
"Hit the brakes": To slow down or stop an activity, often used informally.
"Hit the sack": To go to bed or sleep, indicating the end of the day's activities.
"Call it quits": To stop doing sth, especially after a period of effort.
"Take a breather": To take a short break from an activity to rest.
"Take five": To take a short break, usually about five minutes.
"Put your feet up": To relax and take a break, often after a long day.
"End of the line": The final point in a process or activity, indicating that it's time to stop.
"Call it done": To declare that a task is complete and no further work is needed.



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Location: Paris, France

Comments

  1. Rethabile27 December 2024 at 10:22

    Photo credit: [Photo by olia danilevich: https://www.pexels.com/photo/beautiful-women-sitting-at-a-table-giving-high-five-8145335]

    ReplyDelete

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