call time

To decide that something should end.

• They decided to call time on the project.
• He called time on his football career after twenty years.
• Is it time to call time on this partnership?

How to use it: call time on something (She decided to call time on her acting career.)

Similar words: end, finish, stop

Opposites: begin

Common phrases: call time now, call time early

To announce that the allowed time for an activity has ended.

• The teacher called time.
• Put your pens down when the examiner calls time.
• They called time before I could answer the final question.

How to use it: call time on something (The examiner called time on the written test.)

Common phrases: call time now, call time soon

To announce that a pub is closing and customers must stop buying drinks.

• The landlord called time.
• We ordered one last drink before the bartender called time.
• Has the pub called time already?

Common phrases: call time early, call time tonight

To ask for or announce a short pause during a game.

• The coach called time.
• Can we call time before the next play?
• The referee called time so the injured player could receive treatment.

Similar words: call a timeout

Common phrases: call time again, call time immediately

The time when performers or other workers must arrive before a performance or filming begins.

• Our call time is eight.
• The crew arrived well before their call time.
• Has the director changed tomorrow’s call time for the actors?

Similar words: reporting time

Common phrases: early call time, your call time, call time tomorrow