Call Back

call back

1. To communicate the need for (someone) to return from one situation or location to a previous one: Management called the laid-off workers back.

2. To telephone or radio (a person) who has called previously: I called her back at noon.

3. To recall (a defective product) for repair: The company has called back all such models built in 1990.

call down

1. To find fault with; reprimand: The teacher called me down for disobedience.

2. To invoke, as from heaven.

call for

1. To appear, as on someone else's premises, in order to get: My chauffeur will call for you at seven.

2. To be an appropriate occasion for: This news calls for champagne.

3. To require; demand: work that calls for patience.

call forth

To evoke; elicit: a love song that calls forth sad memories.

call in

1. To take out of circulation: calling in silver dollars.

2. To summon for assistance or consultation: call in a specialist.

3. To communicate with another by telephone: Has the boss called in today?

call off

1. To cancel or postpone: call off a trip; called the trip off.

2. To restrain or recall: Call off your dogs.

call on

To order or request to undertake a particular activity: called on our friends to help.

call out

1. To cause to assemble; summon: call out the guard.

2. To challenge to a duel.

call up

1. To summon to active military service: called up reserve troops for active duty.

2. To cause one to remember; bring to mind: stories that call up old times.

3. To bring forth for action or discussion; raise.

call upon

1. To order; require: I call upon you to tell the truth.

2. To make a demand or a series of demands on: Social institutions are now being called upon to provide assistance to the homeless.

Idioms:

call a spade a spade

To speak directly, precisely, and forthrightly.

call in/into question

To raise doubts about.

call it a day Informal

To stop what one has been doing, for the remainder of the day or at least for the present.

call it a night Informal

To stop what one has been doing, for the remainder of the night.

call it quits Informal

To stop working or trying; quit.

call names

To speak to or about another in offensive terms.

call of nature

A need to urinate or defecate. Often used with answer: He left the room to answer the call of nature.

call (someone's) bluff

To challenge another with a display of strength or confidence.

call the shots/tune Informal

To exercise authority; be in charge.

on call

1. Available when summoned for service or use: physicians who were on call for 48 hours.

2. Subject to payment on demand.

within call

Close enough to come if summoned: The nurse is within call if you need him.