Phrasal verb
call out
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
call out
Past
called out
Past participle
called out
Definition
phrasal verb. to tell someone publicly that their behavior or words are wrong or unfair.
phrasal verb. to challenge or confront a person regarding their actions or statements, typically in a public or semi-public forum. The verb is transitive and allows the object to be placed between the verb and the particle.
Examples
“I had to call him out for his rude comment.”
“The activist used social media to call out the company for its poor environmental record and lack of transparency.”
“While the board members remained silent, the junior analyst felt compelled to call out the CEO's unethical accounting practices during the annual general meeting.”
Examples
simple
“I had to call him out for his rude comment.”
contextual
“The activist used social media to call out the company for its poor environmental record and lack of transparency.”
complex
“While the board members remained silent, the junior analyst felt compelled to call out the CEO's unethical accounting practices during the annual general meeting.”
Usage
commonly followed by 'on' for the specific action or 'for' for the reason.
Teaching tip
useful for discussing social media 'cancel culture' or workplace accountability; highlight that it usually requires an audience or public setting.
Pitfall
She called out him.
She called him out.
pronoun objects must be placed between the verb and the particle in this separable phrasal verb.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
call + out + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
PHRASAL VERB
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/call-out