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call in — 2 meanings

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

phrasal verb2 meanings
call in
1visit briefly2request help

Meaning 1 · most common

visit briefly

  • call in on sb/somewhere

to visit a place or person for a short time, usually without much planning.

How oftenNow and then
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I might call in on my grandmother after work to see how she's doing.

A: Are you coming straight home?
B: I’ll call in at the bakery first and grab some bread.

Common mistake

Not: I'll call in you tomorrow.

Say: I'll call in on you tomorrow. / I'll call round tomorrow.

'Call IN ON someone' — don't drop 'on'.

More on “visit briefly”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I have time after my classes, I usually call in on my friend who lives nearby for a quick chat.

Tell it apart

I'll call in on Gran on the way.

  • drop by briefly

I'll call Gran back later.

  • return her phone call

Goes with

  • call in (on)
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Next meaning: request help

Meaning 2

request help

  • call in sb

to ask someone, especially a professional or expert, to come and help with a problem or situation.

How oftenNow and then
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

We had to call in a plumber when the pipe burst in the kitchen.

A: The computer still isn’t working.
B: Maybe we should call in an IT specialist.

Common mistake

Not: They called in for the police.

Say: They called in the police. / They called the police in.

'Call in' takes the object directly here — no 'for'.

More on “request help”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When there’s a serious issue at work, it’s common to call in an expert to handle the situation.

Tell it apart

They called in the experts.

  • brought them in to help

They called off the search.

  • stopped / cancelled it

Goes with

  • call in + professional
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visit brieflyrequest help