call on

verb

called on; calling on; calls on

transitive verb

1

: to call upon

Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency?

2

: to elicit a response from (someone, such as a student)

the teacher called on her first

3

US, informal : to directly criticize (someone) for (something, such as bad behavior)

She's incredibly rude, but no one ever calls her on it.

Examples of call on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The next president should ration his calls on the public’s attention, which, after all, protects his own effectiveness and the country’s. — John Dickerson, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

Now, a group of British lawmakers has called on the government to end the use of real bearskins in the ceremonial headpieces worn by the King’s Guard. — James Frater, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Miami’s final possession of the first half ended with Miami kicking a field goal from San Francisco’s 5-yard line because a holding call on rookie left guard Kadyn Proctor suffocated the drive. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026

Although Busch originally was called safe, a crew-chief review overturned the call on replay to end the game. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for call on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon