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call someone

/kɔːl ˈsʌmwʌn/
phrasal_verb★Intermediate— to telephone or contact someone
informal

to telephone or contact someone

I need to call someone to fix the broken pipe.

I need to contact someone to repair the broken pipe.

He called someone to ask for directions.

He contacted someone to get directions.

💡

This phrase is commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to making a phone call or reaching out to someone.

Collocations

call someone backto return a phone callcall someone upto make a phone call to someone

Synonyms

contact someonering someonephone someone

Antonyms

ignore someoneavoid someone

Related Phrases

call someone outphrasal verb
to confront someone about something they did wrong
call someone's bluffidiom
to challenge someone who is pretending to be confident or threatening

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

This phrase is often used in everyday conversation to refer to making a phone call.

⚡Gold Rule

Context Matters

The phrase 'call someone' can have different meanings depending on the context, such as making a phone call or summoning someone.

📖Word Origin

The verb 'call' comes from Old English 'ceallian,' meaning to shout or summon. The phrase 'call someone' has evolved to specifically mean making a phone call in modern usage.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in informal contexts to refer to making a phone call. It can also be used metaphorically to mean reaching out to someone for help or advice.

Word Breakdown

call
to telephone or summon
root
+
someone
an unspecified person
object
English Dictionary

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