call out

present singular third person calls out · participle present calling out · participle past called out · past called out

1. idiomatictransitiveTo specify, especially in detail.

   They call out 304 stainless steel in the drawing, but the part was made from aluminum.

2. idiomatictransitiveTo order into service; to summon into service.

   The Governor called out the National Guard.

   2 more examples

   The day of a shedmaster has no real beginning and end. He may leave for home when his work at the shed is done, but there is always the far-too-handy telephone to call him out to breakdowns or other emergencies.

   1960 April 28, A. W. Bennett, “A Shedmaster's Day”, in Railway Magazine, page 272

   Ninety-nine Decision Street Ninety-nine ministers meet To worry, worry, super scurry Call the troops out in a hurry

   1984, Nena, 99 Red Balloons (lyrics written by Kevin McAlea)

   Synonyms: summon

3. intransitivetransitiveTo yell out; to vocalize audibly; announce.

   1971, Carole King, “You’ve Got A Friend”, Tapestry, Ode Records You just call out my name / And you know wherever I am / I'll come running to see you again.

4. To challenge (someone).
   1. archaictransitiveTo challenge (someone) to a duel.
   2. slangtransitiveTo challenge (someone) to a fight.
   3. colloquialidiomatictransitiveTo criticize or denounce (someone); to bring up previously unspoken criticisms about (someone); to point out (someone's) faults.

      She called them out on their lies.

      3 more examples

      He was very insulting. Finally Jack called him out and shut him up.

      While former President Obama called out the call-out culture, former first lady Michelle Obama took white conservatives to task.

      2019 October 30, “Obama calls out call-out culture: "That's not bringing about change"”, in CBS News, archived from the original on 28 Feb 2020

      He added: "We've always had spin, especially from Government. But this is not spin. This is dishonesty and so it's our rail media's urgent responsibility to call it out because non-specialist journalists across the country will report this and gradually these untruths will be accepted.

      2022 January 26, Paul Stephen, “Network News: Government's IRP claims condemned as "dishonest"”, in RAIL, number 949, page 7

      Synonyms: denounce, point out, charge

5. New JerseyNew YorkintransitiveConnecticutTo contact one's workplace and announce that one is unable to attend work. Regionalism short for call out sick; much more commonly: call in sick.

   I had to call out from work. […] I barely ate yesterday. The only thing that stayed in my stomach was soup and crackers.

   2012, Earliecia J. Ebron, Regress

   2 more examples

   I had to call out from work a few Saturdays to Dj at kid's party because they would normally start somewhere around 4:00 p.m.

   2015, Brasford Love, My Life: The Journey to Here

   On this particular day, I felt ill, mostly from exhaustion, and had to call out from work. This callout caused a stir and a display of animosity.

   2015, Pearley Rufus-Lusan, The Baby Boomer Nurse

1. misspellingMisspelling of callout.