call in

To ask someone to come because you need their help or advice.

• We called in a doctor.
• The manager called the police in after the theft.
• Should we call in an expert to check the damage?

How to use it: call someone in / call in someone (We called a plumber in.); call in someone to do something (They called in an expert to inspect the roof.)

Similar words: bring in, summon

Common phrases: call in someone, call in experts

To phone your workplace or another place where people are waiting for news from you.

• She called in sick today.
• Please call in when you reach the village.
• Several listeners called in to share their views.

How to use it: call in + adjective (He called in sick this morning.); call in to something (Listeners can call in to the radio show.)

Similar words: phone, ring

Common phrases: call in sick, call in late

To report information or a message by phone or radio.

• A neighbour called in the fire.
• She called in a report of a missing child.
• Drivers have called in several sightings of the escaped horse.

How to use it: call something in / call in something (The witness called the sighting in.)

Similar words: report, phone in

Common phrases: call in something, call in reports

To visit someone or somewhere for a short time.

• Call in for a cup of tea.
• We called in at the shop on our way home.
• Could you call in on Dad tomorrow?

How to use it: call in at somewhere (We called in at the bakery.); call in on someone (I will call in on my aunt.)

Similar words: drop in, stop by, pop in

Common phrases: call in tomorrow, call in for coffee

To demand that borrowed money be paid back immediately.

• The bank called in our loan.
• Several lenders called their debts in at once.
• Could the bank call in the loan before December?

How to use it: call something in / call in something (The lender called the debt in.)

Similar words: demand repayment of

Common phrases: call in debts, call in a loan

To ask for products or money in public use to be returned or removed.

• The bank called in the old notes.
• The company called in every heater from that batch.
• Will the manufacturer call these unsafe toys in?

How to use it: call something in / call in something (The manufacturer called the faulty heaters in.)

Similar words: recall, withdraw

Common phrases: call in something, call in faulty products