call back — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings

call back

1return a phone call 2ask someone to return

Meaning 1 · most common

return a phone call

call sb back

to phone someone again after you missed their call or need to respond to their message.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Sorry I missed your call earlier—I'll call you back after my meeting.

A: Did you talk to Sarah?
B: Not yet. She was busy, but she said she'd call me back later.

Common mistake

Not: I'll call back ~~you~~ in five minutes.

Say: I'll call you back in five minutes.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'call you back'.

More on “return a phone call”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I see a missed call from an unknown number, I usually don't call back unless they leave a message.

Tell it apart

I'll call you back in five.

return your call

I'll call in on you later.

drop by to visit

Goes with

call someone back

Practice saying this

Next meaning: ask someone to return

Meaning 2

ask someone to return

call sb back

to ask someone to come back to a place, often because they are needed again.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The manager called back the team to finish the project after a sudden change in plans.

A: I thought you finished your shift.
B: I did, but they called me back because they needed extra help.

Common mistake

Not: The studio called back me for a second audition.

Say: The studio called me back for a second audition.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'call me back'.

More on “ask someone to return”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Sometimes, companies call back former employees if they have valuable experience or specific skills.

Tell it apart

They called the staff back after the holidays.

asked them to return

They called the meeting off.

cancelled it

Goes with

call someone back

Practice saying this

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return a phone call ask someone to return