call in sick

Idioms  

1. Telephone one's employer or school that one is ill and cannot come to work or attend. For example, Ben called in sick and told his boss he would miss the meeting. [Mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

In addition, the agency has made it harder for officers to call in sick, said workers and union officials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

Cera also uses a separate AI tool to arrange cover when carers call in sick.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

In turn, that often prompts those employees to call in sick or skip work for other reasons, as was the case during the 2018-19 shutdown.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 8, 2025

“We appeal to our operators to reconsider the impact their plan to call in sick will have on some of the most vulnerable people in the county.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2024

I work one last day at the Woodcrest and then call in sick.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich