call roll: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘call roll’ mean?

The idiom "call roll" means to check attendance or to call out the names of people present in a group. It is often used in educational settings or during group activities.

Idiom Explorer

Decoding the Usage

One idiom that is often used in everyday language is "call roll". This idiom is derived from the practice of taking attendance in a classroom or other group setting.

The phrase "call roll" is commonly used to refer to checking the presence or absence of individuals in a group. It is used when it is necessary to ensure that everyone expected to be present is accounted for.

The origins of this idiom can be traced back to the use of roll books in schools and other institutions. In the past, attendance was recorded in a book or register known as a roll. The teacher or leader of the group would read aloud the names of individuals and mark their attendance accordingly.

Over time, the practice of taking attendance has evolved, but the idiom "call roll" has remained in use. It is now often used figuratively to mean checking or verifying the presence or status of individuals in a group or organization.

The idiom "call roll" is widely understood in American English and is used in both formal and informal contexts. It is a versatile idiom that can be used in various situations, such as in the workplace, in educational settings, or even in social gatherings.

Another idiom related to "call roll" is "roll of the dice". This idiom refers to a situation where the outcome is uncertain and depends on chance or luck, just like rolling dice. In the context of taking attendance, "roll of the dice" can be used to describe a situation where the presence or absence of individuals is uncertain, and it is left to chance or luck to determine who is accounted for.

The idiom "dice roll" is also related to "call roll". It is used to describe a situation where something is left to chance or luck, just like rolling dice. In the context of attendance, "dice roll" can be used to describe a situation where the presence or absence of individuals is uncertain and depends on chance or luck.

The idiom "call roll" is derived from the practice of taking attendance and is commonly used to refer to checking the presence or absence of individuals in a group. Its origins can be traced back to the use of roll books in schools and other institutions. Today, it is used figuratively to mean the act of verifying the status or presence of individuals in a group or organization. This idiom is widely understood and used in American English, and it continues to be a relevant and commonly used phrase.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom *call roll* can be used in a sentence:

  • I will call roll to see who is present in the class.
  • The teacher called roll to take attendance at the start of the lecture.
  • The camp counselor had to call roll every morning to ensure all the campers were accounted for.

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