Meaning & Explanation
The idiom “Call it a day” means to stop working on something, either because you have done enough or because it is time to finish. It suggests ending an activity, often with the intention to resume later.
Hindi Equivalent:
“काम खत्म करना”
Literal Meaning: “To finish work”
Detailed Explanation
This phrase originated from work environments where laborers would literally “call it a day” when their shift ended. Today, it is used more broadly to indicate:
Completion: Deciding that enough work has been done Temporary Stop: Pausing with the plan to continue later Fatigue Management: Recognizing when to rest
Real-Life Examples
1. Workplace Scenario
- English: “We’ve been working on this project for hours—let’s call it a day.”
- Hindi: “हम इस प्रोजेक्ट पर घंटों से काम कर रहे हैं—चलो आज के लिए इतना काफी है।”
2. Study Sessions
- English: “After five chapters, I decided to call it a day and relax.”
- Hindi: “पाँच अध्याय पढ़ने के बाद, मैंने आज के लिए काम खत्म करने का फैसला किया।”
3. Sports Practice
- English: “The coach called it a day after two hours of intense training.”
- Hindi: “कोच ने दो घंटे की कड़ी ट्रेनिंग के बाद आज का अभ्यास खत्म कर दिया।”
Psychological & Social Insight
Why This Practice Matters:
✓ Prevents Burnout: Helps maintain productivity long-term
✓ Work-Life Balance: Encourages time for rest and personal life
✓ Efficiency: Knowing when to stop can improve overall results
When to Use It:
When a task is complete When energy levels are low When continuing would lead to diminishing returns
Usage Tips
Common in both professional and casual settings Often used with “let’s” or “decided to” Can imply either temporary or permanent stopping
Similar Expressions
| English | Hindi |
|---|---|
| “Pack it in” | “काम बंद करना” |
| “Throw in the towel” | “हार मान लेना” |
| “Call it quits” | “छोड़ देना” |
Cultural Perspectives
- Western Work Culture: Emphasizes productivity but also work-life balance
- Japanese Concept: Similar to “Yasumi” (rest) but less commonly used for work
- Indian Context: Often used in offices and schools
Reflection Questions:
- How do you decide when to “call it a day”?
- Have you ever worked too long instead of stopping? What happened?
- What benefits have you noticed from taking breaks?
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