Читать «Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц» онлайн - страница 77

[call names]{v. phr.} To use ugly or unkind words when speaking to someone or when talking about someone. — Usually used by or to children. •/Bill got so mad he started calling Frank names./

[call off]{v.} To stop (something planned); quit; cancel. •/When the ice became soft and sloppy, we had to call off the ice-skating party./ •/The baseball game was called off because of rain./

[call on] or [call upon] {v.} 1. To make a call upon; visit. •/Mr. Brown called on an old friend while he was in the city./ 2. To ask for help. •/He called on a friend to give him money for the busfare to his home./

[call one’s bluff]{v. phr.}, {informal} To ask someone to prove what he says he can or will do. (Originally from the card game of poker.) •/Tom said he could jump twenty feet and so Dick called his bluff and said "Let’s see you do it!"/

[call one’s shot]{v. phr.} 1. To tell before firing where a bullet will hit. •/An expert rifleman can call his shot regularly./ •/The wind was strong and John couldn’t call his shots./ 2. or [call the turn] To tell in advance the result of something before you do it. •/Mary won three games in a row, just as she said she would. She called her turns well./ •/Nothing ever happens as Tom says it will. He is very poor at calling his turns./

[call on the carpet]{v. phr.}, {informal} To call (a person) before an authority (as a boss or teacher) for a scolding or reprimand. •/The worker was called on the carpet by the boss for sleeping on the job./ •/The principal called Tom on the carpet and warned him to stop coming to school late./

[call the roll]{v. phr.} To read out the names on a certain list, usually in alphabetical order. •/The sergeant called the roll of the newly enlisted volunteers in the army./

[call the shots]{v. phr.}, {informal} To give orders; be in charge; direct; control. •/Bob is a first-rate leader who knows how to call the shots./ •/The quarterback called the shots well, and the team gained twenty yards in five plays./ Syn.: CALL THE TUNE.

[call the tune]{v. phr.}, {informal} To be in control; give orders or directions; command. •/Bill was president of the club but Jim was secretary and called the tune./ •/The people supported the mayor, so he could call the tune in city matters./ Syn.: CALL THE SHOTS.

[call the turn] See: CALL ONE’S SHOT(2).

[call to account]{v. phr.} 1. To ask (someone) to explain why he did something wrong (as breaking a rule). •/The principal called Jim to account after Jim left school early without permission./ 2. To scold (as for wrong conduct); reprimand. •/The father called his son to account for disobeying him./

[call to arms]{v. phr.} To summon into the army. •/During World War II millions of Americans were called to arms to fight for their country./