on call

Idioms  

1. Available if summoned, as in Medical residents are required to be on call at least three nights a week. This expression originated as at call in the late 1500s. Also see at someone's beck and call.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on call

A support worker is on site from 09:00 to 00:00, with someone on call through the night.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

With a machine on call, you can stay inside the dream longer, spending more time on the work only you can do.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

The squad will have to remain on call.

From BBC ● May 13, 2026

Having a good contractor on call is now a must-have for companies building power plants, and they are willing to pay up for them.

From Barron's ● May 4, 2026

Luis Alberti moved his whole orchestra from the capital just to be on call at Casa de Caoba.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez