call for
Idioms-
Go to get someone or something, as in John said he'd call for Mary at eight , or Someone's at the door, calling for the package . [First half of 1600s]
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Summon someone or something. For example, The audience called for the playwright , or The judge called for the verdict . [First half of 1500s]
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Require, demand, as in This job calls for a lot of patience . [First half of 1700s] Also see no call for ; uncalled for .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At some point, you get into a hole so deep you can’t climb out of it, so desperate times call for desperate measures.
From Salon • Jun. 13, 2026
To head off that outcome, these same critics invariably call for ever-stricter restrictions on eligibility and cuts in the cash provided.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
Rinderknecht’s defense attorney played a 911 call for jurors, where he told authorities, “There’s a fire, there’s a fire.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
In April 2025, Hugh decided to answer a call for singing farmers, which turned out to be from Clarkson's Farm presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
In my head, I call for its help.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
