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[by word of mouth]{adv. phr.} From person to person by the spoken word; orally. •/The news got around by word of mouth./ •/The message reached him quietly by word of mouth./

C

[cahoots] See: IN LEAGUE WITH or IN CAHOOTS WITH.

[Cain] See: RAISE CAIN.

[cake] See: EAT-ONE’S CAKE AND HAVE IT TOO, PAT-A-CAKE, TAKE THE CAKE.

[calculated risk]{n.} An action that may fail but is judged more likely to succeed. •/The sending of troops to the rebellious island was a calculated risk./

[calf love] See: PUPPY LOVE.

[call] See: AT CALL, AT ONE’S BECK AND CALL, CLOSE CALL, ON CALL, PORT OF CALL, POT CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK, WITHIN CALL.

[call a halt]{v. phr.} To give a command to stop. •/The scouts were tired during the hike, and the scoutmaster called a halt./ •/When the children’s play, got too noisy, their mother called a halt./

[call a spade a spade]{v. phr.} To call a person or thing a name that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language. •/A boy took some money from Dick’s desk and said he borrowed it, but I told him he stole it; I believe in calling a spade a spade./

[call down] also [dress down] {v.}, {informal} To scold. •/Jim was called down by his teacher for being late to class./ •/Mother called Bob down for walking into the kitchen with muddy boots./ Compare: CALL ON THE CARPET, CHEW OUT, BAWL OUT, READ THE RIOT ACT.

[call for]{v.} 1. To come or go to get (someone or something). •/John called for Mary to take her to the dance./ Syn.: PICK UP. 2. To need; require. •/The cake recipe calls for two cups of flour./ •/Success in school calls for much hard study./

[call girl]{n.}, {slang} A prostitute catering to wealthy clientele, especially one who is contacted by telephone for an appointment. •/Rush Street is full of call girls./

[calling down] also [dressing down] {n. phr.}, {informal} A scolding; reprimand. •/The judge gave the boy a calling down for speeding./

[call in question] or [call into question] or [call in doubt] {v. phr.} To say (something) may be a mistake; express doubt about; question. •/Bill called in question Ed’s remark that basketball is safer than football./

[call it a day]{v. phr.} To declare that a given day’s work has been accomplished and go home; to quit for the day. •/"Let’s call it a day," the boss said, "and go out for a drink."/ •/It was nearly midnight, so Mrs. Byron decided to call it a day, and left the party, and went home./ •/The four golfers played nine holes and then called it a day./ Compare: CLOSE UP SHOP.

[call it a night]{v. phr.} To declare that an evening party or other activity conducted late in the day is finished. •/I am so tired that I am going to call it a night and go to bed./

[call it quits]{v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To decide to stop what you are doing; quit. •/When Tom had painted half the garage, he called it quits./ 2. To agree that each side in a fight is satisfied; stop fighting because a wrong has been paid back; say things are even. •/Pete called Tom a bad name, and they fought till Tom gave Pete a bloody nose; then they called it quits./ 3. To cultivate a habit no longer. •/"Yes, I called it quits with cigarettes three years ago."/