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

And the bench of venture-backed AI roll-up companies has expanded in recent years to include companies like London-based Dwelly, which acquires property-management companies, and San Francisco-based Crescendo, which focuses on call centers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026

She’s on call for emergencies at all times.

From The Wall Street Journal ● 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

That it feels like my butterflies are always on call, but that I’m managing.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

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