call out

What does "call out" mean?

1. To publicly criticize or challenge someone
2. To shout or say loudly
3. To request emergency services

Examples

• She called him out on his racist comments.
• The teacher called out the names for attendance.
• They had to call out the fire department.
• Don't be afraid to call out bad behaviour.
• He called out for help but no one heard him.

How to use it

'Call out' for public criticism has become very common in social media contexts. 'Call-out culture' refers to this phenomenon.

Word order

Object can go between: 'call someone out' or 'call out injustice'

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• call off

  To cancel an event or activity

• call up

  To telephone someone

• call back

  To return a phone call

• call in

  To phone a workplace to report absence or give information

• call for

  To demand or require something

• get out

  To leave a place, room, or vehicle