English Phrase of the Day

Definitions

English > English
call on
1. v. (idiomatic, transitive) To visit (a person); to pay a call to.
I really should call on my aunt more often.
2. v. (idiomatic, transitive) To select (a student in a classroom, etc.) to provide an answer.
He sat there, baffled, hoping nobody would call on him.
3. v. (idiomatic, transitive) (also call upon) To request or ask something of (a person); to select for a task.
The king called on his subjects to take up arms and defend the kingdom.
4. v. (idiomatic, transitive) (also call upon) To have recourse to; to summon up.
Exhausted, he called on his last ounce of strength.
5. v. To correct; to point out an error or untruth.
The salesman persisted in quoting a rate higher than was listed, until we called him on it.
Analysis
call		©
1. n. A telephone conversation.
I received several phone calls today.
I received several calls today.
2. n. A short visit, usually for social purposes.
I paid a call to a dear friend of mine.
on		©
1. adj. In the state of being active, functioning or operating.
2. adj. Performing according to schedule.
Are we still on for tonight?
Is the show still on?
3. adj. (chiefly UK, informal, usually negative) Acceptable, appropriate.

Example Sentences

We call on the government to tackle this problem on a number of fronts, including consideration of financial support for students and a new contract for legal aid practitioners that offers greater career prospects and security.  The two Moroccans who were captaining the boat made a call on their mobile phone and then another boat arrived.

Review previous phrases