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
The idiom "roll of the dice" means taking a chance or accepting a situation where the outcome is uncertain and unpredictable.
The idiom "duty calls" means that one must fulfill their obligations or responsibilities, even if it interferes with personal desires or preferences.
The idiom "drop the writ" means to call for an election or dissolve a legislative body, usually done by a political leader or governing party.
The idiom "drop the ball" means to make a mistake or fail to do something that was expected or required. It suggests a failure to meet responsibilities or fulfill obligations. The phrase is often used in a professional or organizational context.
The idiom "drop out" means to leave a group or quit a situation, often referring to withdrawing from school or abandoning a course of action.
The idiom "don't call us, we'll call you" means that the person or organization being addressed will contact the other person or organization if they are interested or have further information. It is often used in a dismissive or uninterested manner.
The idiom "dice roll" means to take a chance or make a risky decision without being certain of the outcome. It is often used to describe situations where the outcome is uncertain, and there is a sense of unpredictability or luck involved.
The idiom "dance attendance" means to show excessive eagerness to please or serve someone, especially in an obsequious or ingratiating manner.
The idiom "count noses" means to count the number of people present or to take a headcount. It is often used in situations where it is necessary to keep track of how many people are involved or present.
The idiom "clock in" means to record one's arrival at work by using a time clock or other timekeeping system. It refers to the act of officially starting one's working hours.
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.