call a truce

USAGE SUMMARY

"call a truce" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it when you wish to express a desire to end an argument or disagreement. Example: "Let's call a truce and agree to disagree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Leave it alone, call a truce, move on, Mr. Malanowski.

The New York Times

These gangs would call a truce at Kool Herc's parties.

The Guardian - Music

It took the outbreak of war to call a truce.

The Guardian - Opinion

Waiters circulate with second helpings until you call a truce.

The New York Times - Travel

Lawmakers sometimes call a truce on the occasion of the president's annual address to Congress.

The New York Times

Is it time to call a truce in the 'battle against disease'?

The Guardian

Occasionally the two sides would call a truce to let pedestrians pass.

The New York Times

Isn't it time to call a truce between both sides in the prostitution debate?

The Guardian - Opinion

"All I'm saying is, for those three years, let's call a truce".

The New York Times

He's the best boxer in a generation, and so popular Filipino guerrillas call a truce while he's in the ring.

Independent

Pershing Square learned that Canadian Pacific's directors and Mr. Green planned to call a truce through lawyers on Wednesday evening.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call a truce" to suggest a temporary or agreed-upon pause in a conflict, argument, or competition. It implies a willingness from both sides to set aside differences, even if not permanently.

Common error

Avoid using "call a truce" when seeking a final, complete resolution to a conflict. This phrase indicates a pause, not necessarily a permanent end. For a lasting resolution, consider phrases like "negotiate a settlement" or "achieve reconciliation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call a truce" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of proposing or agreeing to a temporary cessation of hostilities or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "call a truce" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves primarily to suggest a temporary halt to conflict or disagreement across varied contexts, as highlighted by the examples from Ludwig. While versatile, it's crucial to remember that it implies a pause rather than a permanent resolution. Alternatives such as "declare a ceasefire" or "reach an understanding" might be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make peace

A broad term for ending conflict and restoring harmonious relations.

cease fire

Similar to "declare a ceasefire", but can also be used as a direct command to stop fighting.

declare a ceasefire

Focuses more on the formal declaration of ending hostilities, particularly in military or political contexts.

suspend hostilities

Emphasizes the temporary halting of aggressive actions.

end the conflict

Directly addresses the cessation of a dispute or struggle.

broker a peace

Implies mediation and negotiation to achieve a lasting end to conflict.

bury the hatchet

An idiomatic expression meaning to forgive and forget past grievances to restore peace.

reach an understanding

Suggests a mutual agreement to stop arguing or conflicting.

find common ground

Focuses on identifying shared interests to resolve a disagreement.

lay down arms

Specifically refers to stopping fighting, often in a literal sense.

FAQs

How can I use "call a truce" in a sentence?

You can use "call a truce" when you want to suggest a temporary pause in a conflict or disagreement. For example, "After weeks of arguing, the siblings decided to "call a truce" during the holidays".

What are some alternatives to "call a truce"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "declare a ceasefire", "broker a peace", or "reach an understanding".

Is it appropriate to use "call a truce" in formal writing?

Yes, "call a truce" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, consider using a more precise term like "suspend hostilities" for greater clarity.

What's the difference between "call a truce" and "surrender"?

"Call a truce" implies a mutual agreement to temporarily stop fighting or arguing, while "surrender" means one side gives up completely. Calling a truce suggests a pause, whereas surrender indicates defeat.