Phrasal verb
call up
Meanings
to phone someone
to make information, a page, or a file appear on a screen
to cause a memory or feeling from the past to come to mind
Definition
To call up means to telephone someone or to make something appear on a screen.
To call up most commonly means to phone someone. It can also mean to bring something up on a computer or phone screen, such as a file, page, or information. In some contexts, it can mean to make someone think of something from the past, like a memory.
Examples
- I’ll call up my sister after dinner.
- Can you call up your manager and confirm the schedule?
- He called up an old contact to ask about the event.
- She called up the document on her laptop during the meeting.
- They called up memories of childhood when they visited the beach.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse call up with call back; call up means to phone someone (or display something), while call back means to return a call.
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.