0
Hans51 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Meanings of "call out"

"He called out striking railway union members on Wednesday, demanding they return to work as their strike is inconveniencing the public."

I saw this sentence in a newspaper and I think the meaning of call out is to order on strike but considering the whole meaning, I don't think it was used for the meaning and then is there another meaning we can apply in the context?

I think that call out was used for the meaning of "to summon into action <call out troops>" or is there another meaning suitable for this situation? What do you native English speakers think?

Thank you so much as always and have a good day.
  

Top answer

The meanings you mention are all valid, but not in your sentence. An archaic meaning of 'call someone out' is 'challenge someone to a duel'. eg with swords or pistols.

— Clive

  • The meanings you mention are all valid, but not in your sentence.
  • An archaic meaning of 'call someone out' is 'challenge someone to a duel'.
  • eg with swords or pistols.
  • One man would do this as a way of demanding that another man take responsibility for his insulting actions.
  • We don't have such duels anymore, but the phrase is still used figuratively.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
The meanings you mention are all valid, but not in your sentence.

An archaic meaning of 'call someone out' is 'challenge someone to a duel'. eg with swords or pistols.
One man would do this as a way of demanding that another man take responsibility for his insulting actions.
0

Related Questions