Expressions with call
October 12th, 2013 in Vocabulary
Here is a list of phrasal verbs using the verb call.
Call in
To call something in is to say that it should be returned.
- The manufacturer has called in tens of thousands of defective laptops.
To call someone in or to call in someone is to ask for their help.
- We will have to call in a specialist to solve this problem.
- The government has called in paramilitary forces to rescue those stranded in the flood-ravaged region.
Call into question / call into doubt
To call into question is to doubt whether something is true.
- These allegations call her honesty into question. (= These allegations make us doubt whether she is honest.)
Call it a day / night
To call it a day / night is to stop an activity.
- It is already 10 pm. Let’s call it a night and go home.
Call off (separable)
To call off something is to stop doing it.
- They have called off the meeting.
- The police have called the investigation off.
- We had to call off our trip due to financial problems.
Call on / call upon
To call on someone is to ask them to do something.
- The opposition has called on the minister to resign. (= The opposition has said that the minister should resign.)
To call on / upon someone is to ask for help from them.
- She has no one to call on in an emergency.
Call on
To call on someone is to ask for a response from them.
- When the teacher called on me I didn’t know what to say.
To call on somebody is to make a brief visit.
- Julie called on me yesterday.
Call out
To call out is to speak in a loud voice.
- She called out for help.
Call up
To call somebody up is to make a telephone call to them.
- I haven’t spoken to her in years, but I called her up yesterday.