call up: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘call up’ mean?
The idiom "call up" means to use a telephone to contact someone.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "in touch" means to have contact or communication with someone. It implies staying connected or keeping oneself updated on a regular basis.
The idiom "hold the phone" is used to tell someone to wait or pause because new information or a change in plans has occurred.
The idiom "hit it up" means to begin or start something, often with enthusiasm or energy.
"Hang up" as an idiom means to end a phone call or to put the phone receiver back in its place. It can also be used to describe someone's inability to let go or move on from something.
The idiom "give someone a shout" means to contact or get in touch with someone, typically by calling or messaging them. It implies reaching out to someone to communicate or ask for something.
The idiom "give someone a ring" means to call someone on the telephone. It originates from the action of physically ringing someone's doorbell or using a bell to get their attention.
The idiom "get together" means to meet or gather with someone or a group of people, typically for socializing or discussing something.
The idiom "get the door" means to open the door for someone or go and answer the door when someone is at the door.
The idiom "first up" means to be the first in a sequence or order. It implies being the initial or primary person or thing to go or be addressed. It is commonly used to refer to the first person to speak or perform in a group or event.
The idiom "first port of call" refers to the initial place or person that someone visits or contacts when starting a particular task or seeking information or assistance.
An Invitation to Explore the Depths
The idiom "call up" has multiple meanings and uses in American English. One meaning of "call up" is to contact someone on the telephone. This can be a personal call to a friend or family member, or a business call to a colleague or client. In today's digital world, we have various ways to get in touch with people, but sometimes nothing beats a good old-fashioned phone call.
Another meaning of "call up" is to summon or request someone to perform military service. This usage originated from the practice of drawing up soldiers from the reserves to serve in times of war. Just like you would give someone a ring or a shout to catch up, the military calls up its troops when duty calls.
The idiom "call up" can also be used to refer to recalling or retrieving information from memory. For example, someone might say, "I can't quite call up the name of that actor, but I know I've seen him in other movies." It's like trying to give someone a shout but not being able to remember their name, just on a smaller scale.
In addition, "call up" can be used figuratively to mean bringing an image, memory, or emotion to mind. For instance, a song or a smell might call up memories of a specific time or place. Sometimes a simple phrase or a familiar scent can give someone a ring in their head and transport them back to a special moment.
Furthermore, "call up" can mean to bring someone or something to a higher level or position. This can apply to both sports and professional contexts. For example, a talented athlete may be called up from a minor league team to join a major league team. It's like giving someone a ring and inviting them to step up their game and play with the big leagues.
Additionally, "call up" can be used to describe the act of inviting someone to join a group or organization. This can apply to joining a club, a team, or even a political party. It's like giving someone a shout and saying, "Hey, we want you to be part of our group!"
The idiom "call up" has multiple meanings and uses in American English. It can refer to making a telephone call, summoning someone to military service, recalling information from memory, bringing an image or memory to mind, elevating someone or something to a higher level or position, and inviting someone to join a group or organization. This versatile idiom reflects the diverse ways in which language is used to express communication, action, and connection in everyday life.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "call up" can be used in a sentence:
- He decided to call up his friend and invite her to the party.
- When she heard the news, it brought back memories that she didn't expect the song to call up.
- The manager decided to call up a few employees to discuss their concerns.
More "Communication" idioms
