Idiom Breakdown

call on

DITRANSITIVE English phrasal verbs formed with "on"

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Definition

To visit (a person); to pay a call to.

To select (a student in a classroom, etc.) to provide an answer.

To request or ask something of (a person); to select for a task.

To have recourse to.

To correct; to point out an error or untruth.

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"I really should call on my aunt more often."
"He sat there, baffled, hoping nobody would call on him."
"“Mr. Rayney, Mr. Rayney,” the reporters clamored, and hands shot up. ¶ Charlotte called on the reporter from the L.A. Times, promising herself that she would lead with the OC Register reporter next time."
"The king called on his subjects to take up arms and defend the kingdom."
"The alma mater had again called on her sons in her hour of need and again they had responded."
"Because of the drastic reduction in the use of petrol and tyres the railway is now called on to effect practically all the island's transport, with the exception of a small amount handled by one coastwise steamer."
"President Kennedy imposed a naval blockade on Cuba to prevent delivery of the missiles and called on his allies for support."
"De Gaulle called on the military to break with their hierarchical superiors and on the other French citizens to distance themselves from their government."
"Exhausted, he called on his last ounce of strength."
"The young adventurer set out on the new planet alone, thankful that she could still call on her captain for advice in case of emergency."
"The salesman persisted in quoting a rate higher than was listed, until we called him on it."

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