call on

1. Also, call upon.

2. Make a request, ask for, choose, as in We are calling upon you to run for chairman , or The teacher called on Joe to answer . [c. 1400]

3. Pay a brief visit, as in The salesman said he'd call on me in the morning . Shakespeare had this usage in Antony and Cleopatra (1:4): “I'll call upon you ere you go to bed.” [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

The current mayor ended his re-election campaign in September after business leaders called on him to drop out and clear the field for Cuomo.

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The UN has called on the East African nation's security forces to refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force.

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He called on the US to use law enforcement methods including intercepting boats and detaining suspects, and if necessary, prosecuting individuals.

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And she called on Edison to provide immediate housing assistance to fire victims.

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While other members of the Royal Family were part of the decision, including Prince William, it's understood that it was the King who made this big call on his brother's future.

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Related Words

• ban 
• contradict 
• oppose 
• rebuff 
• refuse 
• refute 
• reject 
• revoke 
• turn down 
• withhold