calling card

plural calling cards · alternative calling-card

1. A small printed card which identifies the bearer, traditionally presented for introduction when making a social visit to a home or when attending a formal social event or business meeting.

   If Mrs. Nelson does come here, you be sure to put on your white apron before you open the door; and for pity sake don't forget the card-tray! You ought to know better than to stick out your hand for a lady's calling-card.

   1905, Alice Hegan Rice, chapter 7, in Sandy, page 80

   Synonyms: at-home card, business card, name card, meishi, visiting card

2. figurativelyAn attribute, symptom, object, or behavior which is distinctly characteristic of someone or something.

   She didn’t set out to make candor her calling card.

   2020 October 3, Sanam Yar, “Lili Reinhart Is Just Being Honest”, in New York Times

   2 more examples

   Free and slightly funky chamber music is the calling card of this festival.

   2006 May 14, Anne Midgette, “Summer Stages: Mozart, Yes, But Also Much More”, in New York Times, retrieved 26 Sep 2008

   The poisoning also turned Novichok into something of a Russian calling card.

   2020 September 2, “Aleksei Navalny Was Poisoned With Novichok, Germany Says”, in New York Times

   Synonyms: signature, mark, hallmark

3. euphemisticExcrement, especially of a domestic animal.

   A guide dog left his calling card on the court at Tuesday night's Magic-Pistons game in Orlando.

   2005 January 21, Dwight Perry, “Sideline Chatter: Just doo it”, in Seattle Times, archived from the original on 04 Jan 2013

4. A phonecard.

   Many experts now advise consumers to use a prepaid calling card to save money on long distance calls while staying in a hotel.

   2003 November 22, Michelle Singletary, “Traveler beware: Free things may cost you money”, in seattlepi.com, retrieved 26 Sep 2008

   Synonyms: telephone card

5. A card advertising the services of a prostitute.

   Synonyms: tart card

6. An explosive dropped from a bomber aeroplane.