calling

find (one's) calling

To discover and pursue one's true and inherent passion, skill, or vocation. I know you're unhappy in your job, so I think you should take some time off to really find your calling. Many students leave college and realize that they still have yet to find their calling.

call (someone) to heel

To force someone to obey one's wishes or commands; to make someone act in accordance with one's authority. The CEO was quick to call the junior board member to heel after the latter spoke out of turn at the annual general meeting. Sir, the members of your squad are all out of control. You need to call them to heel right away!

calling card

1. A small card containing one's contact information; a business card that may also be used for social purposes. I'm old school, so I like to hand out a calling card when I'm saying goodbye to a new acquaintance.

2. An item left behind by someone to signify that he or she had been present in a particular location. It was evident that the string of murders were committed by the same man, as he left his calling card, a single red rose, at the scene of each crime.

3. A special skill or talent that sets an individual apart from others. Primarily heard in US. His ability to paint such lifelike portraits really is his calling card in the art world.

Could I tell him who's calling?

and Can I tell her who's calling?; May I tell him who's calling?

a question asked by people who answer the telephone to find out politely who is asking for someone. (Him or her can be replaced by a person's name or by a plural pronoun.) Mary (on the phone): Hello. Could I speak to Bill Franklin? Sally: Could I tell him who's calling? Mary: It's Mary Peters. Sally: Oh yes, he's expecting your call. I'll get him for you.

pot is calling the kettle black

and that's the pot calling the kettle black

Prov. You should not criticize someone for a fault that you have too. (Not polite to say about the person you are addressing.) Bill told Barbara she was sloppy, but Bill never cleans up after himself, either. That's the pot calling the kettle black. My sister says I dress funny, but if you've seen some of the clothes she wears, you know it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Thank you for calling.

Thank you for calling on the telephone. (Said when the call is helpful or a bother to the caller.) Mary: Good-bye. Sue: Good-bye, thanks for calling. John: Okay. Well, I have to get off the phone. I just wanted you to know what was happening with your order. Jane: Okay. Bye. Thanks for calling.

What number are you calling?

an expression used when one suspects that a telephone caller may have gotten the wrong number. Bob (on the telephone): Hello? Mary: Hello, is Sally there? Bob: Uh, what number are you calling? Mary: I guess I have the wrong number. Sorry. Bob: No problem. Good-bye. When the receptionist asked, "What number are you calling?" I realized I had made a mistake.

Who's calling?

and Who's calling, please?

Who is this making this telephone call? Rachel: Yes, Tom is here. Who's calling, please? Tom: Who is it? Rachel: It's Fred. Fred (answering the phone): Hello? Tom: Hello, is Bill there? Fred: Who's calling, please? Tom: This is Tom Wilson returning his call.

within hailing distance

and within calling distance; within shouting distance

close enough to hear someone call out. When the boat came within hailing distance, I asked if I could borrow some gasoline. We weren't within shouting distance, so I couldn't hear what you said to me.

the pot calling the kettle black

a situation in which one person criticizes another for a fault they have themselves Ernie accused me of being selfish. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

a calling card

1. something that shows a person or animal has been in a place The beetles leave behind their calling cards: little white balls on the outside of the trees.

2. (mainly American) a quality or achievement that gives someone an advantage This performance acted as the calling card that landed Taylor her first major film role.

the pot calling the kettle black

something that you say which means someone should not criticize another person for a fault that they have themselves Elliot accused me of being selfish. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

See Piss or get off the can!, throw into the pot, A watched pot never boils

pot calling the kettle black, the

Accusing someone of faults that one has oneself, as in Tom's criticizing Dexter for dubious line calls is a case of the pot calling the kettle black, since Tom's about the worst line judge I've ever seen . This expression dates from the days of open-hearth cooking, which blackens practically all the utensils used. [Early 1600s]

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Sutton	['sʌtən]
Min-Su	meen-soo	Korean
MÉAbh	MAYV	Irish, Irish Mythology
Lucia	loo-CHEE-ah (Italian), LOO-tsee-ah (German), LOO-shə (English), loo-SEE-ə (English)	Italian, German, English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Romanian, Slovak, Ancient Roman
Flo	FLO	English
Florence	['flɔ:rəns]