call somebody names

call (one) names

1. To mock or disparage one with rude or offensive names. My son is miserable because the kids at his new school call him names.

2. To speak to or about one derisively. I barely even know Lauren, so why is she calling me names to other people?

See also: call, name

call somebody ˈnames

insult somebody with rude or unpleasant names: In the playground, the other children called him names. ▶ ˈname-calling noun: They were subjected to name-calling and jokes at their expense.

See also: call, name, somebody