wake–up call
noun
Definition of wake–up call
1 : something (such as a telephone call from a hotel employee to a guest) that serves to wake a sleeper
2 : something that serves to alert a person to a problem, danger, or need a wake-up call to parents
From the M-W Editors
1974
First Known Use of wake–up call
1974
WAKE–UP CALL Defined for English Language Learners
wake-up call
noun
Definition of wake–up call for English Language Learners
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: a telephone call that a hotel makes to your room to wake you up
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: something that makes you fully understand a problem, danger, or need
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