calling

Could I tell him who's calling? and Can I tell her who's calling?; May I tell him who's calling?

a question asked by people who answer the telephone to find out politely who is asking for someone. (Him or her can be replaced by a person's name or by a plural pronoun.) Mary (on the phone): Hello. Could I speak to Bill Franklin? Sally: Could I tell him who's calling? Mary: It's Mary Peters. Sally: Oh yes, he's expecting your call. I'll get him for you.

See also: could, him, tell

pot is calling the kettle black and that's the pot calling the kettle black

Prov. You should not criticize someone for a fault that you have too. (Not polite to say about the person you are addressing.) Bill told Barbara she was sloppy, but Bill never cleans up after himself, either. That's the pot calling the kettle black. My sister says I dress funny, but if you've seen some of the clothes she wears, you know it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

See also: black, kettle, pot

Thank you for calling.

Thank you for calling on the telephone. (Said when the call is helpful or a bother to the caller.) Mary: Good-bye. Sue: Good-bye, thanks for calling. John: Okay. Well, I have to get off the phone. I just wanted you to know what was happening with your order. Jane: Okay. Bye. Thanks for calling.

See also: thank

What number are you calling?

an expression used when one suspects that a telephone caller may have gotten the wrong number. Bob (on the telephone): Hello? Mary: Hello, is Sally there? Bob: Uh, what number are you calling? Mary: I guess I have the wrong number. Sorry. Bob: No problem. Good-bye. When the receptionist asked, "What number are you calling?" I realized I had made a mistake.

See also: number

Who's calling? and Who's calling, please?

Who is this making this telephone call? Rachel: Yes, Tom is here. Who's calling, please? Tom: Who is it? Rachel: It's Fred. Fred (answering the phone): Hello? Tom: Hello, is Bill there? Fred: Who's calling, please? Tom: This is Tom Wilson returning his call.

within hailing distance and within calling distance; within shouting distance

close enough to hear someone call out. When the boat came within hailing distance, I asked if I could borrow some gasoline. We weren't within shouting distance, so I couldn't hear what you said to me.

See also: distance, hail, within

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a calling card 

1. something that shows a person or animal has been in a place The beetles leave behind their calling cards: little white balls on the outside of the trees.

2. (mainly American) a quality or achievement that gives someone an advantage This performance acted as the calling card that landed Taylor her first major film role.

See also: card

the pot calling the kettle black

something that you say which means someone should not criticize another person for a fault that they have themselves Elliot accused me of being selfish. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

See Piss or get off the can!, throw into the pot, A watched pot never boils

See also: black, kettle, pot

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the pot calling the kettle black

a situation in which one person criticizes another for a fault they have themselves Ernie accused me of being selfish. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

See also: black, kettle, pot