Phrasal verb
call down
Meanings
To reprimand or criticize someone, often publicly or formally, for a mistake or bad behavior.
To summon or request someone to come down from a higher place, such as an upper floor or stage.
Definition
To call down is to criticize or scold someone for doing something wrong.
To call down someone means to speak to them angrily or firmly because you think they made a mistake or behaved badly. It often happens in workplaces, schools, or formal situations where one person has authority over another. It focuses on blame and reprimand rather than calm discussion.
Examples
- I got called down by my supervisor for missing the deadline.
- She called down her team for leaving the workspace messy.
- They called down the kids from the treehouse for dinner.
- We were called down to the lobby to meet our guests.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse call down (reprimand) with call on (ask someone to speak) or call off (cancel).
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.