subs. (Eton College).—The time when the masters do not call ABSENCE (q.v.).
TO HAVE or GET A CALL UPON, phr. (American).—To have a preference, or the first chance.
1888. Puck’s Library, May, p. 23, Picture Dealer (to Professional’s Husband): ‘No, sir; I can’t sell no more of your wife’s pictures unless she gets down some of that flesh, and looks kinder æstheticker. The ethereal and intellectual HAS GOT THE CALL on the old style of beauty now-a-days.
TO CALL A GO, verbal phr. (vagrants’ and street patterers’).—To change one’s stand; to alter one’s tactics; to give in at any game or business. [From the GO ‘call’ in cribbage.]
1851–61. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, vol. I., p. 252. TO CALL A GO, signifies to remove to another spot, or adopt some other patter, or, in short, to resort to some change or other in consequence of a failure.
TO TALL A SPADE A SPADE.—See SPADE.
TO CALL OVER THE COALS.—See WIGGING.
PUT AND CALL.—See PUT.
