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Synonyms

whistle for

British  

verb

  1. informal (intr, preposition) to seek or expect in vain

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
whistle for Idioms  

  1. Ask for or expect without any prospect of success, as in If you want a cash refund, you can just whistle for it. [Mid-1700s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

No wonder Arteta joined his players on the pitch after the final whistle for a raucous celebration in front of the jubilant Arsenal fans.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

Brahim Diaz's Panenka penalty was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and referee Jean-Jacques Ndala then immediately blew the whistle for full-time.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

Did they whet your whistle for the book?

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

“Some people have heard that as a dog whistle for racism and hate,” he said.

From Washington Post • Nov. 19, 2022

I was about to whistle for Blackjack to help me search, when my mom’s phone rang.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.