called it a night

USAGE SUMMARY

"called it a night" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to end an activity or event and go to bed or end for the night. You can use this phrase in various contexts, such as when describing your evening plans, discussing a decision to end a social gathering, or simply expressing that you are going to bed. Example: After a long day of hiking, we decided to call it a night and headed back to our campsite to get some rest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We called it a night.

The New York Times - Travel

After that I called it a night.

The Guardian

By 2 a.m. some folks called it a night.

The New York Times

That was mental; we called it a night after that.

Independent

I checked the door locks and called it a night.

The Washington Post

It didn't go well, and they called it a night.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At 2, when the 5th closed, I called it a night.

Princeton University

Mr. Bennasr eventually called it a night and went home to Jersey City.

The New York Times

"I've gotten a little dinner and a play with my wife, then called it a night," Manning said.

The New York Times - Sports

The Thrashers, Tortorella suggested, might have called it a night had the Rangers capitalized on some of their early chances.

The New York Times - Sports

Back at the inn, all three of us satiated and content, we called it a night.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "called it a night" when you want to express that you ended an activity or event, usually implying that you went to bed or stopped for the day. It's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "called it a night" when referring to the permanent cessation of something. It generally implies a temporary end, usually until the next day. Use alternatives like "called it quits" or "ended" when something is permanently finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "called it a night" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the cessation of an activity, typically for the evening. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in concluding various events, from social gatherings to work-related activities. It often implies a decision to rest or retire for the night.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "called it a night" is a common idiomatic expression used to indicate the end of an activity or event, typically for the evening. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's versatile and appropriate for various contexts, primarily in news and media, academia, and travel writing. When using the phrase, consider that it implies a temporary end to something, rather than a permanent cessation. While alternatives exist, understanding the nuance of "called it a night" ensures its effective use in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopped for the night

Specifically indicates ceasing activity until the next day.

ended the evening

Focuses on the conclusion of the evening activities.

wrapped things up

Suggests finishing a task or activity.

finished up for the day

Emphasizes the completion of daily tasks.

called it quits

Implies a more definitive end, potentially to a longer-term endeavor.

knocked off for the day

Commonly used in British English, indicating the end of the workday.

packed it in

Informal way of saying to stop doing something.

retired for the evening

Formal and refined way to announce ending the day's activities.

hit the hay

Informal way to indicate going to bed.

shut down operations

More formal, implying a temporary or permanent closure.

FAQs

What does "called it a night" mean?

The phrase "called it a night" means to end an activity or event for the evening, often implying that you are going to bed or stopping until the next day.

How can I use "called it a night" in a sentence?

You might say, "After the concert, we were tired and "called it a night"" or "The meeting ran late, so we "called it a night" and decided to continue it tomorrow".

Are there formal alternatives to "called it a night"?

While "called it a night" is versatile, more formal alternatives include "ended the session", "adjourned for the evening", or "concluded the activities".

Is it appropriate to use "called it a night" in professional settings?

Yes, "called it a night" can be used in professional settings, especially in informal communication. However, in formal reports or presentations, consider using alternatives like "ended the day's work" or "concluded the session".