Phrasal verb
call away
Meanings
To contact someone and cause them to leave their current activity, often because something needs their attention elsewhere.
To require someone to leave a place or event because of duty or an urgent matter (often used in the passive).
Definition
To call away means to contact someone and make them leave what they are doing, usually for something urgent.
If someone is called away, they have to stop what they are doing and go somewhere else. This often happens because of an urgent message, duty, or unexpected situation. It is commonly used in the passive form, especially at work or during events.
Examples
- I was called away in the middle of lunch and had to return to the office.
- She got called away from the rehearsal to deal with a sudden problem.
- They were called away during the conference and missed the next session.
- Our manager was called away, so the decision will have to wait.
- You might get called away if the client needs an immediate answer.
Common mistake
Learners often misuse it to mean “telephone someone” (call someone), but call away means causing someone to leave what they are doing.
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.