16 N‑COUNT The call of a particular bird or animal is the characteristic sound that it makes. □ …a wide range of animal noises and bird calls.
17 → see also calling , so-called
18 PHRASE If you say that there is no call for someone to behave in a particular way, you are criticizing their behaviour, usually because you think it is rude. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ There was no call for him to single you out from all the others.
19 PHRASE If someone is on call , they are ready to go to work at any time if they are needed, especially if there is an emergency. □ In theory I'm on call day and night. □ …a doctor on call.
20 PHRASE If you call in sick , you telephone the place where you work to tell them you will not be coming to work because you are ill. □ 'Shouldn't you be at work today?'—'I called in sick.'
21 to call someone's bluff → see bluff
22 to call it a day → see day
23 to call a halt → see halt
24 to call something to mind → see mind ➊
25 call of nature → see nature
26 to call something your own → see own
27 to call something into question → see question
28 to call it quits → see quit
29 to call a spade a spade → see spade
30 to call the tune → see tune
31 too close to call → see close ➋
▸ call back PHRASAL VERB If you call someone back , you telephone them again or in return for a telephone call that they have made to you. □ [V n P ] If we're not around she'll take a message and we'll call you back. [Also V P n (not pron)]
▸ call for
1 PHRASAL VERB If you call for someone, you go to the building where they are, so that you can both go somewhere. □ [V P n] I shall be calling for you at seven o'clock.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you call for something, you demand that it should happen. □ [V P n] They angrily called for Robinson's resignation.
3 PHRASAL VERB If something calls for a particular action or quality, it needs it or makes it necessary. □ [V P n] It's a situation that calls for a blend of delicacy and force.
▸ call in
1 PHRASAL VERB If you call someone in , you ask them to come and help you or do something for you. □ [V P n] Call in an architect or surveyor to oversee the work. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you call in somewhere, you make a short visit there. □ [V P ] He just calls in occasionally. □ [V P + on ] I got into the habit of calling in on Gloria on my way home.
▸ call off PHRASAL VERB If you call off an event that has been planned, you cancel it. □ [V P n] He has called off the trip. □ [V n P ] The union threatened a strike but called it off at the last minute.
▸ call on or call upon
1 PHRASAL VERB If you call on someone to do something or call upon them to do it, you say publicly that you want them to do it. □ [V P n to-inf] One of Kenya's leading churchmen has called on the government to resign.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you call on someone or call upon someone, you pay them a short visit. □ [V P n] Sofia was intending to call on Miss Kitts.
▸ call out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you call someone out , you order or request that they come to help, especially in an emergency. □ [V P n] Colombia has called out the army and imposed emergency measures. □ [V n P ] I called the doctor out. □ [be V -ed P + to ] The fire brigade should always be called out to a house fire.
2 → see also call 3
▸ call up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you call someone up , you telephone them. [mainly AM ] □ [V n P ] When I'm in Pittsburgh, I call him up. □ [V P n] He called up the museum. □ [V P ] Sometimes I'd even call up at 4 a.m.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone is called up , they are ordered to join the army, navy, or air force. □ [be V -ed P ] Youngsters coming up to university were being called up. □ [V P n] The United States has called up some 150,000 military reservists. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB If someone is called up , they are chosen to play in a sports team. □ [be V -ed P ] He is likely to be called up for Thursday's match against Italy.
4 → see also call-up
▸ call upon → see call on USAGE call
Don’t use ‘as’ with call
. Don’t say, for example, ‘
call|back /kɔː lbæk/ (callbacks ) N‑COUNT A callback is an occasion when you are asked to return for a second interview for a job, or a second audition for a part in a show. □ Needless to say, the audition went badly, and I never got a callback.
ca ll box (call boxes ) also call-box
1 N‑COUNT A call box is the same as a telephone box . [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]