Phrasal verb
call after
Meanings
To visit someone briefly, especially when passing by or soon after something happens.
To phone or contact someone shortly afterward, especially to check how they are.
Definition
To visit or phone someone briefly, usually on your way somewhere else or soon after an event.
“Call after” means to contact or visit someone for a short time, often as a quick check-in. It is commonly used when you stop by someone’s home or place, or when you phone them to see how they are. It suggests the contact is not long or formal, just a brief visit or message.
Examples
- I’ll call after you when I finish work.
- Can you call after your neighbors while they’re away?
- He called after his friend to see if she got home safely.
- She called after her parents on the way back from the airport.
- They called after their coach to thank him for the support.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse “call after” with “call back,” but “call back” means return a phone call, while “call after” means visit or contact someone later or on the way.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.