call out

verb

1. to utter aloud, esp loudly

2. (tr) to summon

3. (tr) to order (workers) to strike

4. (tr) to summon (an employee) to work at a time outside his normal working hours, usually in an emergency

5. (tr) to challenge to a duel

Idioms and Phrases

Summon into action or service, as in The governor called out the militia . [Mid-1400s]

Challenge to a fight, as in To avenge the insult, Arthur called him out . This term originated with dueling and is dying out. [Early 1800s]

Example Sentences

She insisted the threat of being called out would be a powerful one for tech firms.

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Becoming suspicious of transferring thousands of pounds with "nothing in return", Jane eventually called out the behaviour.

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I call out, hoping to see Asase’s blade jump into action and free me.

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“Who is ripe for an adventure?” she called out gaily.

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“Calm down, Freddy. And don’t shoot. Let’s have more light,” Baron Hoover called out.

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Related Words

• ask for 
• assert 
• call for 
• claim 
• confront 
• defy 
• demand 
• denounce 
• impose 
• require 
• test 
• try