quitting time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quitting time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the time at which a person is scheduled to stop working for the day. Example: "After a long day at the office, I can’t wait for quitting time to finally relax at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maybe it was just quitting time.

The New York Times

It was almost quitting time.

The New York Times - Sports

HAMPTON, Iowa — It was quitting time.

The New York Times

It's quitting time for both of you.

The New York Times

In the afternoon at quitting time, the workmen leave.

The New Yorker

Starting at 5 o'clock, multiple images of quitting time unfold.

The New York Times - Arts

It was last Thursday, early evening, just after quitting time.

The New York Times

In fact, he didnt return until 3 P.M., an hour before quitting time.

Cornell University

"The rope broke," he told Vickery as the prisoners piled into the truck at quitting time.

The New Yorker

Five minutes until quitting time, and I might get arrested yet.

The New York Times - Style

The donors arrived near quitting time, and the technician didn't waste a second.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about work schedules or routines, "quitting time" adds a familiar and relatable element. For example, "The factory whistle signaled quitting time, and workers streamed out."

Common error

Avoid using "quitting time" in contexts where a task or activity is being abandoned prematurely or negatively. It's best suited for scheduled or expected end-of-work situations rather than unexpected abandonment of any task.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quitting time" functions as a noun phrase indicating the designated end of a work period. As seen in Ludwig, it's commonly used to mark the transition from work to leisure or other activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quitting time" is a very common noun phrase that refers to the end of a workday or scheduled work period. It's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase typically carries a neutral register, making it suitable for both general conversation and professional settings. When using this phrase, make sure to avoid contexts involving premature task abandonment. For alternatives, consider using "end of the workday" or "time to clock out", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

End of the workday

Focuses on the completion of scheduled work hours.

Time to clock out

Emphasizes the action of officially ending work and recording the departure.

End of shift

Specifically refers to the termination of a designated work period, often in industries with shift work.

Going-home time

Highlights the transition from work to leaving for home.

Time to leave

A more general expression indicating departure, applicable beyond just work.

Dismissal time

Emphasizes the act of being released from duties or obligations.

Cease work

Formally indicates the termination of labor or tasks.

Time off

Generally signifies a break or absence from work.

Break time

A short period to rest or have a pause from work.

Stopping point

Highlights the idea of concluding a particular task or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "quitting time" in a sentence?

"Quitting time" is typically used to indicate the end of a workday or a scheduled work period. For example, "The office was nearly empty by quitting time."

What's another way to say "quitting time"?

Alternatives to "quitting time" include "end of the workday", "time to clock out", or "end of shift", depending on the context.

Is "quitting time" formal or informal?

"Quitting time" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly informal phrase, suitable for everyday conversation and writing. More formal alternatives might be used in official communications.

Can "quitting time" refer to something other than work?

While "quitting time" primarily refers to the end of a work period, it can be used figuratively to indicate the end of any activity or task. However, this usage is less common and should be clear from the context.