Словарь американских идиом (8000 единиц)

[cake] See: EAT-ONE'S CAKE AND HAVE IT TOO, PAT-A-CAKE, TAKE THE CAKE.

[calculated risk] <n.> An action that may fail but is judged more likely to succeed. * /The sending of troops to the rebellious island was a calculated risk./

[calf love] See: PUPPY LOVE.

[call] See: AT CALL, AT ONE'S BECK AND CALL, CLOSE CALL, ON CALL, PORT OF CALL, POT CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK, WITHIN CALL.

[call a halt] <v. phr.> To give a command to stop. * /The scouts were tired during the hike, and the scoutmaster called a halt./ * /When the children's play, got too noisy, their mother called a halt./

[call a spade a spade] <v. phr.> To call a person or thing a name that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language. * /A boy took some money from Dick's desk and said he borrowed it, but I told him he stole it; I believe in calling a spade a spade./

[call down] also [dress down] <v.>, <informal> To scold. * /Jim was called down by his teacher for being late to class./ * /Mother called Bob down for walking into the kitchen with muddy boots./ Compare: CALL ON THE CARPET, CHEW OUT, BAWL OUT, READ THE RIOT ACT.

[call for] <v.> 1. To come or go to get (someone or something). * /John called for Mary to take her to the dance./ Syn.: PICK UP. 2. To need; require. * /The cake recipe calls for two cups of flour./ * /Success in school calls for much hard study./

[call girl] <n.>, <slang> A prostitute catering to wealthy clientele, especially one who is contacted by telephone for an appointment. * /Rush Street is full of call girls./

[calling down] also [dressing down] <n. phr.>, <informal> A scolding; reprimand. * /The judge gave the boy a calling down for speeding./

[call in question] or [call into question] or [call in doubt] <v. phr.> To say (something) may be a mistake; express doubt about; question. * /Bill called in question Ed's remark that basketball is safer than football./

[call it a day] <v. phr.> To declare that a given day's work has been accomplished and go home; to quit for the day. * /"Let's call it a day," the boss said, "and go out for a drink."/ * /It was nearly midnight, so Mrs. Byron decided to call it a day, and left the party, and went home./ * /The four golfers played nine holes and then called it a day./ Compare: CLOSE UP SHOP.

[call it a night] <v. phr.> To declare that an evening party or other activity conducted late in the day is finished. * /I am so tired that I am going to call it a night and go to bed./

[call it quits] <v. phr.>, <informal> 1. To decide to stop what you are doing; quit. * /When Tom had painted half the garage, he called it quits./ 2. To agree that each side in a fight is satisfied; stop fighting because a wrong has been paid back; say things are even. * /Pete called Tom a bad name, and they fought till Tom gave Pete a bloody nose; then they called it quits./ 3. To cultivate a habit no longer. * /"Yes, I called it quits with cigarettes three years ago."/

[call names] <v. phr.> To use ugly or unkind words when speaking to someone or when talking about someone.
– Usually used by or to children. * /Bill got so mad he started calling Frank names./

[call off] <v.> To stop (something planned); quit; cancel. * /When the ice became soft and sloppy, we had to call off the ice-skating party./ * /The baseball game was called off because of rain./

[call on] or [call upon] <v.> 1. To make a call upon; visit. * /Mr. Brown called on an old friend while he was in the city./ 2. To ask for help. * /He called on a friend to give him money for the busfare to his home./

[call one's bluff] <v. phr.>, <informal> To ask someone to prove what he says he can or will do. (Originally from the card game of poker.) * /Tom said he could jump twenty feet and so Dick called his bluff and said "Let's see you do it!"/

[call one's shot] <v. phr.> 1. To tell before firing where a bullet will hit. * /An expert rifleman can call his shot regularly./ * /The wind was strong and John couldn't call his shots./ 2. or [call the turn] To tell in advance the result of something before you do it. * /Mary won three games in a row, just as she said she would. She called her turns well./ * /Nothing ever happens as Tom says it will. He is very poor at calling his turns./

[call on the carpet] <v. phr.>, <informal> To call (a person) before an authority (as a boss or teacher) for a scolding or reprimand. * /The worker was called on the carpet by the boss for sleeping on the job./ * /The principal called Tom on the carpet and warned him to stop coming to school late./

[call the roll] <v. phr.> To read out the names on a certain list, usually in alphabetical order. * /The sergeant called the roll of the newly enlisted volunteers in the army./

[call the shots] <v. phr.>, <informal> To give orders; be in charge; direct; control. * /Bob is a first-rate leader who knows how to call the shots./ * /The quarterback called the shots well, and the team gained twenty yards in five plays./ Syn.: CALL THE TUNE.

[call the tune] <v. phr.>, <informal> To be in control; give orders or directions; command. * /Bill was president of the club but Jim was secretary and called the tune./ * /The people supported the mayor, so he could call the tune in city matters./ Syn.: CALL THE SHOTS.

[call the turn] See: CALL ONE'S SHOT(2).

[call to account] <v. phr.> 1. To ask (someone) to explain why he did something wrong (as breaking a rule). * /The principal called Jim to account after Jim left school early without permission./ 2. To scold (as for wrong conduct); reprimand. * /The father called his son to account for disobeying him./

[call to arms] <v. phr.> To summon into the army. * /During World War II millions of Americans were called to arms to fight for their country./

[call to mind] <v. phr.> To remember; cause to remember. * /Your story calls to mind a similar event that happened to us a few years back./

[call to order] <v. phr.> 1. To open (a meeting) formally. * /The chairman called the committee to order./ * /The president pounded with his gavel to call the convention to order./ 2. To warn not to break the rules of a meeting. * /The judge called the people in the court room to order when they talked too loud./

[call out] <v. phr.> 1. To shout; speak loudly. * /My name was called out several times, but I was unable to hear it./ 2. To summon someone. * /If the rioting continues, the governor will have to call out the National Guard./