call back

Idioms  

1. Ask someone to return; also, ask that something be returned, as in He passed the first audition and was waiting to be called back , or These screws are defective; the manufacturer has called them back . [Late 1500s]

2. call someone back . Telephone someone in return, as in May I call you back next week? [Early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

She said she understood that there "isn't an established process, once a nomination has happened to the House of Lords, to then call back that nomination before a peer is introduced".

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

There’s no singular explanation, but one could argue that like the Paul Smith pink wall, photos and videos of palm-tree-lined streets call back to a time when posting on social media felt lighthearted and breezy.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

He told me to call back in a week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

“I heard you on all your concerns and believe we have addressed them in our new proposal. Please give me a call back when you can to discuss in detail.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

I was too embarrassed to see him and didn’t call back.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers