call time

present singular third person calls time · participle present calling time · participle past called time · past called time

1. UKTo announce the closing of a pub for the day.

   Let's have another pint quickly, before the landlord calls time.

2. UKTo end something.

   The boxer is ready to call time on his long career.

   2 more examples

   "I'll be on my way. Hope your friend comes around all right. Going to call time on him sharp?" "I should say not!" said the other. "I'll give him half an hour at least. If Jimmy is alive on earth he'll be here by that time. So long, officer."

   1906, O. Henry, After Twenty Years

   As Frank had said to me two years earlier, when he was forced at last to reach for the Blu Tack and a felt-tip pen and call time on his own little shop: “It hurts. Aye.”

   2020 September 1, Tom Lamont, “The butcher's shop that lasted 300 years (give or take)”, in The Guardian

3. hobbiesTo call a timeout.
4. USeducationTo indicate that an activity, especially the taking of a test, is complete.

   The teacher called time, and there were a few groans. (Some children pleaded for more time, another just said it was really hard, and a few others agreed that this was really cool.)

   2011, Linda Schwartz Green, Diane Casale-Giannola, 40 Active Learning Strategies for the Inclusive Classroom, Grades K–5, Corwin Press, →ISBN, page 104

plural call times

1. performing artsThe expected time of arrival for participants in a performance event, e.g., a play or concert.

   The performance starts at 2pm; call time is 11am for crew, noon for musicians.