8 polite ways to say "That's enough" in English

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To refuse more food politely, say "I'm good for now." To thank someone and stop them, say "That's plenty." To end a talk or a task calmly, say "Let's stop there." These sound kinder than a plain "That's enough," which can sound like a warning.

Watch the Short

In the Short, Marco is about to bring out another bowl of chips. Hana stops him with a sharp "That's enough," and Marco feels a little hurt, because "It's only one more bowl of chips." Then Hana tries a warmer line, "That's plenty, Marco. Thank you," and Marco happily leaves the other twelve bowls in the kitchen.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WO1zsuFXt8k

Watch it on YouTube

The lines at a glance

1. I'm good for now. (Casual and friendly)
2. That's plenty. (Warm and thankful)
3. Let's stop there. (Calm but firm)
4. No more for me, thanks. (Polite and clear)
5. That's all I need. (Neutral and helpful)
6. I think that'll do. (Relaxed and gentle)
7. Let's call it a day. (Friendly and informal)
8. Okay, that's enough. (Direct and firm)

1. I'm good for now.

Tone: Casual and friendly

Use it as a soft no when someone offers more food, drink, or help. The words "for now" leave the door open for later. It's too casual for a firm refusal at work.

In the film Christmas All Over Again (2016):

I'm good for now.

For example:

A: Do you want another slice of pizza?

B: I'm good for now, thanks. Maybe later.

2. That's plenty.

Tone: Warm and thankful

Use it when someone gives you something and you have more than enough. Plenty means more than enough, so the line also says thank you. Add "thanks" to make it warmer.

In the film Destination Wedding (2017):

No. That's plenty.

For example:

A: Let me add some more rice to your plate.

B: No, that's plenty. Thank you.

3. Let's stop there.

Tone: Calm but firm

Use it to end a conversation, a meeting, or a task in a calm way. It works well when you lead the activity. Don't use it to refuse food; it sounds too serious for that.

In the film Interlude in Prague (2017):

Let's stop there.

For example:

A: I can explain the next chapter too, if you want.

B: Let's stop there for today. We can finish tomorrow.

4. No more for me, thanks.

Tone: Polite and clear

Use it at the table when someone wants to fill your glass or plate again. It's clear but friendly. Don't use it for a talk or a task.

For example:

A: More coffee?

B: No more for me, thanks. I've had two cups already.

5. That's all I need.

Tone: Neutral and helpful

Use it when someone is giving you items, information, or help, and you have what you came for. It works in shops, offices, and at home.

For example:

A: Do you need more paper for the printer?

B: No, that's all I need. Thanks for your help.

6. I think that'll do.

Tone: Relaxed and gentle

Use it when a task or an amount is good enough and you want to finish. "I think" makes it softer. It can sound a little cool if someone worked hard, so add a thank you.

For example:

A: Should I put up one more poster?

B: I think that'll do. The wall looks great.

7. Let's call it a day.

Tone: Friendly and informal

Use it to stop work for the day, often when people are tired. It's an idiom, so use it with colleagues or friends, not in a formal email to a client.

For example:

A: It's seven o'clock and we still have two boxes to check.

B: Let's call it a day. We'll finish them in the morning.

8. Okay, that's enough.

Tone: Direct and firm

Use it when someone must stop right now, for example during an argument or when a joke goes too far. It can sound like a warning, so don't use it for polite offers.

For example:

A: And another thing about your cooking...

B: Okay, that's enough. Let's talk about something else.

Common mistakes

Not quite: That's enough! (to a host who offers more food)
Better: That's plenty, thank you.
"That's enough" can sound like an order or a warning. "That's plenty" says the same thing but also thanks the person for being generous.

Not quite: I'm good now.
Better: I'm good for now.
"For now" is the soft part of the line. It tells the host you may want more later, so the refusal sounds friendly, not final.

Not quite: Let's stop here, thanks. (when refusing more cake)
Better: No more for me, thanks.
"Let's stop there" or "Let's stop here" ends a talk or a task. For food and drink, use a line about yourself, like "No more for me."

Quick quiz

1. Your friend offers you more soup. You're full but want to sound relaxed. What do you say?

1. Let's stop there.
2. I'm good for now.
3. Okay, that's enough.
4. Let's call it a day.

2. What does "plenty" mean in "That's plenty"?

1. Not enough
2. Exactly right
3. More than enough

3. You are leading a long meeting and want to end it calmly. Which line fits best?

1. No more for me, thanks.
2. That's plenty.
3. Let's stop there.

4. Which line sounds the most like a warning?

1. Okay, that's enough.
2. That's all I need.
3. I think that'll do.
4. That's plenty.

5. Your team is tired at the end of a workday. Which friendly line ends the work?

1. Let's call it a day.
2. I'm good for now.
3. No more for me, thanks.

Questions learners ask

Is "That's enough" rude in English?

It isn't always rude, but it's direct. People often use it to stop an argument, a behavior, or a joke, so it can sound like a warning. When someone is being kind, such as offering food, "That's plenty, thank you" is a safer choice.

How do I politely refuse more food in English?

Try "I'm good for now," "No more for me, thanks," or "That's plenty, thank you." Each one says no without sounding cold. A short thank you or a compliment on the food makes the refusal even warmer.

What is the difference between "Let's stop there" and "Let's call it a day"?

Both end an activity. "Let's stop there" is calm and works in most situations, including formal ones like a class or a meeting. "Let's call it a day" is an informal idiom that usually means you stop working until tomorrow.

Can I say "I'm good" to mean no?

Yes. In American English, "I'm good" or "I'm good for now" is a common, casual way to say no to an offer. In formal settings, "No, thank you" may be clearer.

Quiz answers

1. I'm good for now. "I'm good for now" is a casual, friendly no to more food.
2. More than enough. Plenty means more than enough, which is why the line sounds thankful.
3. Let's stop there. "Let's stop there" ends a talk or task in a calm but firm way.
4. Okay, that's enough. "That's enough" on its own is direct and firm, so it can sound like a warning.
5. Let's call it a day. "Let's call it a day" is an informal way to stop work for the day.

Film lines are short quotes for language teaching; the dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Hana and Marco are animated characters made with Google Flow. More from MicroEnglish: all our channels.

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz.