Expressions with call

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.