call out
1. To announce something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "call" and "out." Once everyone is seated, the host will call out the winners' names. If you've got Bingo, call it out! Oh, the emcee is just calling out introductions. We're not missing anything.
2. To shout in an attempt to draw attention to oneself. I called out to my best friend when I saw her walking down the street, but she had headphones on and couldn't hear me. My husband came running when he heard me call out for help. Luckily, a police officer came to my aid when he heard me call out in a panic that I was being robbed.
3. To confront one about one's misdeeds or unpleasant behavior. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "call" and "out." If your intern keeps coming in late, you need to call her out on it. If the boss thinks you're responsible for the printing mishap, he won't hesitate to call you out on it in front of the rest of the staff. Thank goodness somebody finally called Andrew out on his lies!
4. To challenge one to a fight. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "call" and "out." I wouldn't call that guy out—I know for a fact that he carries a knife. Look, there's no need to call anyone out here. We're all just trying to have a good time, no punches needed. "All right, tough guy, I'll call you out!" But as soon as he stood up and revealed himself to be 6'5", I knew I'd made a terrible mistake.
5. To request one's aid or presence. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "call" and "out." When that case had me stumped, I called another detective out to review it with me. The president called out military troops when the situation became unstable. If your computer's frozen again, why don't you call someone out to take a look at it?
6. To utilize something, often a quality or skill. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "call" and "out." The championship game was so intense that I really had to call out my mental toughness just to get through it. I've learned to call out a calming mantra in times of stress. After my husband died, I had to call out all the resiliency I had left just to get out of bed in the morning.
7. To order something by phone. Just tell me what you want for dinner, and I'll call out for it. With the World Series game coming on, I bet everyone in town is calling out for pizzas! I called out to our cable provider and had them add that channel to our package.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.