C

[cahoots] See: IN LEAGUE WITH or IN CAHOOTS WITH.

[Cain] See: RAISE CAIN.

[cake] See: EAT-ONE'S CAKE AND HAVE IT TOO, PAT-A-CAKE, TAKE THE CAKE.

[calculated risk] {n.}

An action that may fail but is judged more likely to succeed.

/The sending of troops to the rebellious island was a calculated risk./

[calf love]

See: [PUPPY LOVE].

[call]

See:

[AT CALL],

[AT ONE'S BECK AND CALL],

[CLOSE CALL],

[ON CALL],

[PORT OF CALL],

[POT CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK],

[WITHIN CALL].

[call a halt] {v. phr.}

To give a command to stop.

/The scouts were tired during the hike, and the scoutmaster called a halt./

/When the children's play, got too noisy, their mother called a halt./

[call a spade a spade] {v. phr.}

To call a person or thing a name that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language.

* /A boy took some money from Dick's desk and said he borrowed it, but I told him he stole it; I believe in calling ...

[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 the kitchen with muddy boots./

Compare:

[CALL ON THE CARPET],

[CHEW OUT],

[BAWL ...

[call for] {v.}

1. To come or go to get (someone or something).

/John called for Mary to take her to the dance./

Syn.: [PICK UP].

2. To need; require.

/The cake recipe calls for two cups of flour./

* /Success in school calls for much hard ...