{prep.} 1. For the sake or purpose of; as. •/By way of
example, he described his own experience./ 2. Through; by a route including;
via. •/He went from New York to San Francisco by way of Chicago./
[by word of mouth]
{adv. phr.} From person to person by the spoken
word; orally. •/The news got around by word of mouth./ •/The message
reached him quietly by word of mouth./
C
[cahoots]
See: IN LEAGUE WITH or IN CAHOOTS WITH.
[Cain]
See: RAISE CAIN.
[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./