Phrasal verb
call in
Meanings
to ask someone to come to help, fix, or deal with a problem
to telephone a place, especially a workplace, show, or organization
to visit someone or somewhere briefly
Definition
To call in means to ask someone to come or to contact a place by phone, or to visit briefly.
To call in is commonly used when you ask someone to come to help or deal with a situation, such as a technician or the police. It can also mean to phone a place, like a radio show or your workplace. In everyday speech, it may also mean to visit someone or somewhere for a short time.
Examples
- I had to call in a plumber when the sink started leaking.
- You should call in to the office if you’re running late.
- He decided to call in to the radio show during the drive home.
- She will call in on her neighbor after work to drop off the keys.
- They had to call in extra staff to handle the busy lunch rush.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse call in (ask someone to come) with call up (phone someone) and use the wrong preposition for the situation.
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.