BBC地道英语:Call it a day 一天结束了

Jen: Hello, and welcome to Authentic Real English. I'm Jennifer, and with me in the studio is... yawn... Helen.

Helen: Hi Jen... 你累了吗？

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: Monday? Tuesday? 给日子起个名字？你说叫什么好？Monday? Tuesday?

Jen: Oh no, I don't mean...

Helen: How about Saturday? 我最喜欢星期六。要不我们起个全新的名字。How 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.

Helen: I see. 如果你说 call it a day, 意思是你决定今天工作到此为止，下班了。

Jen: That's right, so let's call it a day 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: 那么我们就快去吧!

voice: Some time later...

(Nightclub music)

Helen: Jen, 看看时间 we've been here seven hours!

Is it time to 'call it a night'?

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: 该回家了，太晚了. Well, I definitely think that you need to call it a night, then. Although look...

Jen: What?

Helen: 你看太阳都出来了，我们一宿都在外面。Perhaps we should call it a day instead?

Jen: That means it's nearly time for work again! Can I call in sick, please?