call up
phrasal verb·5 senses·particle up
Meanings
Telephone someone
Why “up”? A person, thing, signal, idea, or truth becomes present, visible, active, or known.
“Maya called up her brother after dinner.”
“Maya called up her aunt to ask about the recipe.”
Order someone to join military service
Why “up”? Filling to the top. Reaching the upper limit means finishing.
“He was called up at eighteen.”
“Several young men were called up during the war.”
Display information on a screen or computer
“Call up the customer's record on screen.”
“The nurse called up my test results on the computer.”
“Maya called up the backup presentation on the office computer.”
Bring a memory or feeling vividly to mind
“That smell calls up memories of childhood.”
“The old song called up memories of school.”
Select a player for a higher-level team
Why “up”? A person or thing moves from a lower place or position to a higher one.
“He was called up to the national team.”
“The young player was called up after two strong matches.”
Don't confuse with
Call up means phone someone. Call out means say something loudly or ask for help.
Test yourself
“Maya called up her brother after dinner.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
call out
A contrast learners often mix up
Shout something loudly or summon services
add up
Same up pattern: finishing
Combine into a larger total; Make sense or seem true
blow up
Same up pattern: appearance
Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious
break up
Same up pattern: finishing
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
bring up
Same up pattern: appearance
Mention or raise a topic
catch up
Same up pattern: appearance
Reach the same level or position as someone ahead; Get up to date with news, work or events you have missed; (of bad behaviour or neglect) start to have unavoidable consequences; Spend time talking to a friend after a period apart
clean up
Same up pattern: finishing
Tidy thoroughly
clear up
Same up pattern: finishing
Tidy a place by putting things away; (of weather) become bright and dry after rain or cloud; Resolve a misunderstanding or doubt by explaining it; (of an illness, rash or symptom) disappear or get better; Solve a mystery or unsolved problem
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