[call the shots] {v. phr.}, {informal} To give orders; be in charge; direct; control. * /Bob is a first-rate leader who knows how to call the shots./ * /The quarterback […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

call off

[call off] {v.} To stop (something planned); quit; cancel. * /When the ice became soft and sloppy, we had to call off the ice-skating party./ * /The baseball game was […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

call down

[call down] also [dress down] {v.}, {informal} To scold. * /Jim was called down by his teacher for being late to class./ * /Mother called Bob down for walking into […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

Recent updates

plain white wrapper

[plain white wrapper] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Unmarked police car. * /There's a plain white wrapper at […]

spit up

[spit up] {v.} To vomit a little. * /The baby always spits up when he is burped./ * /Put a bib on the baby. I don't want […]

Mark Twain

(1835-1910) I do not like work even when another person does it.

attention whore

[attention whore] {n. phr.} {informal} Label given to any person who craves attention to such an extent that they will do […]

dead to rights

[dead to rights] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Without a chance of escaping blame; proven wrong. * /Mother had Bob dead to rights, […]

pitch out

[pitch out] {v.} 1. To deliberately throw a pitch outside of the home plate in baseball so that the batter cannot hit the ball […]

Caron de Beaumarchais

(1732-1799), French dramatist It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them.

to a T

[to a T] or [to a tee] {adv. phr.} Exactly; properly. Often used with the verb 'suit'. * /This hat suits me to a T./