call it a day

to quit work and go home; to say that a day's work has been completed. I'm tired. Let's call it a day. The boss was mad because Tom called it a day at noon and went home.

to stop some activity All professional athletes know they will reach a point when they have to call it a day.

to stop doing something, especially working After playing together for 20 years the band have finally decided to call it a day. It's almost midnight - I think it's time to call it a day.

Stop a particular activity for the rest of the day, as in It's past five o'clock so let's call it a day. Similarly, call it a night means "to stop something for the rest of the night," as in One more hand of bridge and then let's call it a night. The original phrase was call it half a day, first recorded in 1838, which referred to leaving one's place of employment before the work day was over. The first recorded use of call it a day was in 1919, and of call it a night in 1938. Also see call it quits.

To stop what one has been doing, for the remainder of the day or at least for the present.