call in
phrasal verb·4 senses·particle in
Meanings
Visit a place briefly, often on the way somewhere
Why “in”? You reach a place and become present there. The train gets in, you check in, or the news comes in.
“I'll call in on my way home.”
“We called in at the bakery.”
Phone a workplace or radio station
“He called in sick this morning.”
“Listeners called in with questions.”
Ask experts or professionals to come and help
“They called in a plumber.”
“The school called in an electrician.”
Demand the return of money lent
“The bank called in the loan.”
“The lender called in the debt.”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“I'll call in on my way home.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
call back
A contrast learners often mix up
Return a phone call; Try the phone call again; Recall a product because of a fault
call out
A contrast learners often mix up
Shout something loudly or summon services
ask in
Same in pattern: arrival
Invite someone to enter your home
barge in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a place rudely without permission
break in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a building illegally by force
bring in
Same in pattern: arrival
Introduce someone or something into a discussion or organisation; Earn money for a person or business; Introduce a new law, system or rule; Deliver a verdict in a court
burst in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a place suddenly and forcefully
cash in
Same in pattern: arrival
Take advantage of a situation for profit
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “call in”.
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