call in sick

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]

Example Sentences

As she scrambled to find a hotel room, De Salvo forgot to call in sick from her job as a court interpreter.

From Los Angeles Times

“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

Faced with a job she doesn’t know how to do, for instance, Lauren quickly learns she can call in sick a lot because she knows she’ll be bailing on her husband/acquiring a new life soon.

From Seattle Times

If they call in sick, miss a shift or cannot pay the fees, they rack up “back rent” — money they owe to the club.

From Seattle Times

The wave of illness has been noticeable in causing more workers to call in sick.

From Los Angeles Times