Phrasal Verb - Calling In

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Definition

The phrasal verb 'call in' possesses several distinct meanings, typically revolving around the acts of summoning, contacting, or demanding. The specific meaning is usually determined by the context in which it's used:

1. To summon or request the presence of someone: This is often used when a specialist, an expert, or specific personnel (like a doctor, engineer, or emergency services) are needed at a particular location. For example, 'They had to call in a structural engineer after the bridge showed cracks.'
2. To contact a place, especially by phone, often to report something or to participate: This commonly refers to reporting one's status to work (e.g., 'calling in sick' or 'calling in late'), or for listeners/viewers to participate in a live radio or television program by phoning in their questions or opinions. For instance, 'She had to call in to report her absence from work.'
3. To require an employee to come to work, often unexpectedly, for additional hours, or during non-scheduled times: This implies summoning staff to cover shifts, manage unexpected workload, or for urgent tasks. An example would be, 'The manager had to call in extra staff due to the sudden customer rush.'
4. To demand the repayment of a loan or money owed: This is primarily used in a financial context, meaning to request or insist that a debt be paid back, often immediately or earlier than initially planned. For example, 'The bank decided to call in all outstanding loans from the defaulting company.'
5. To withdraw something from circulation or use: This can refer to items like old currency, defective products, or documents that need to be retired or replaced. An example is, 'The government decided to call in the old banknotes to replace them with a new series.'
6. To make a brief visit (less common and more informal): Similar to 'drop in' or 'call on someone', it means to visit a place or person for a short period. For example, 'I decided to call in on my aunt on my way home just to say hello.'

Examples

No.	Example
1	The hospital had to call in an infectious disease specialist for the rare case.
2	I need to call in sick today; I've got a terrible headache.
3	Listeners can call in with their questions for the author during the live segment.
4	The company decided to call in all units of the product due to a manufacturing defect.
5	The bank threatened to call in the loan if the payments weren't made on time.
6	They had to call in an emergency plumber when the main pipe burst.
7	She was called in on her day off to help prepare for the last-minute presentation.
8	Don't forget to call in your progress report to the main office by noon.
9	After the major accident, the police had to call in a special accident reconstruction team.
10	I'll just call in quickly at my friend's house on my way home to pick up my book.