after a long day
/ˈæftər ə lɔːŋ deɪ/
Meaning
This phrase describes the period of rest or relief following a busy, tiring, or stressful day of work, study, or activity. It implies that the speaker is exhausted and looking forward to relaxing. It is often followed by comforting activities like taking a bath, watching TV, or sleeping.
Examples
-
There is nothing better than a hot shower after a long day.
There is nothing better than a hot shower after a long day.
-
After a long day at the office, I just want to order takeout and watch a movie.
After a long day at the office, I just want to order takeout and watch a movie.
-
She loves to sit on the porch with a cup of tea after a long day.
She loves to sit on the porch with a cup of tea after a long day.
-
After a long day of hiking, our feet were incredibly sore.
After a long day of hiking, our feet were incredibly sore.
-
He usually goes straight to sleep after a long day.
He usually goes straight to sleep after a long day.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ I love relaxing after a long time day.
✓ I love relaxing after a long day.
Learners sometimes translate literally from languages that use 'long time' for duration. In English, the fixed idiom to describe a tiring day is simply 'a long day'.
-
✗ He was exhausted after a busy long day.
✓ He was exhausted after a long day.
'Long day' already carries the meaning of being busy and tiring. Adding 'busy' is redundant and sounds unnatural to native speakers.
Related Expressions
Practice
-
I love pouring myself a cold glass of lemonade ___.
💡 After a tiring or busy day.
Show answer
after a long day
-
___ at school, the kids finally fell asleep on the couch.
💡 Capitalize the first letter; following a tiring period of time.
Show answer
After a long day