call his bluff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call his bluff" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when someone challenges another person's claim or threat, suggesting that the person is not being truthful or is exaggerating. Example: "When he said he would quit if he didn't get a raise, I decided to call his bluff and told him to go ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It is time to call his bluff.

The Economist

Why not call his bluff?

The New York Times

BVB, however, might well call his bluff.

The Guardian - Sport

One day someone will call his bluff.

The Guardian

They are inclined to call his bluff.

The Guardian

Cameron wants a reformed Europe, but Europe seems likely to call his bluff.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

I was calling his bluff.

The New York Times

I called his bluff.

The Guardian - Sport

So the United States finally called his bluff.

The New York Times - Books

Now Arequipa has called his bluff.

The Economist

"O.K., then I will," I said, calling his bluff.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call his bluff" when you want to express that you suspect someone is exaggerating or not being truthful about their intentions, and you want to challenge them to prove it.

Common error

Don't "call his bluff" if you're not prepared for the possible outcome. If they are indeed serious, you'll have to deal with the ramifications of their actions.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "call his bluff" functions as a verb phrase used to challenge someone's insincerity or exaggeration, prompting them to prove their claims. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "call his bluff" is a common idiomatic expression primarily used in news and media to convey the act of challenging someone's insincere claim or exaggeration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage. While versatile, it's important to be prepared for the potential consequences of such a challenge. Alternative phrases like "challenge his statement" or "test his resolve" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call his hand

Similar to "call his bluff", this alternative comes from poker, where exposing someone's hand to see if they have a strong card.

challenge his statement

Replaces the idiomatic "bluff" with the more direct term "statement", making it less figurative.

question his sincerity

Focuses on the underlying lack of genuineness rather than the specific act of bluffing.

expose his lie

Implies a deliberate deception rather than just an exaggeration or empty threat.

test his resolve

Focuses on whether the person will follow through on their stated intentions.

see if he's serious

A more informal way of expressing the intent to determine someone's true intentions.

make him prove it

Demands concrete evidence or action to support the claim.

demand verification

A formal way to ask for evidence, it suits professional settings.

take him at his word

Ironically accepts the statement to see if it holds true, potentially exposing insincerity.

dare him to act

Suggests a provocative challenge, pushing the person to take action.

FAQs

How can I use "call his bluff" in a sentence?

You can use "call his bluff" when you suspect someone is exaggerating or being insincere. For example, "He threatened to quit, but I decided to "call his bluff" and see if he was serious."

What does it mean to "call his bluff"?

To "call his bluff" means to challenge someone's insincere claim or threat, typically to expose that they are not being truthful or are exaggerating.

Which is more appropriate, "challenge his statement" or "call his bluff"?

"Challenge his statement" is more direct and less idiomatic. "Call his bluff" is more figurative and implies a suspicion of insincerity. Depending on the context either is appropriate, you can also consider the alternative "question his sincerity".

What are some similar expressions to "call his bluff"?

Similar expressions include "challenge his statement", "test his resolve", or "call his hand", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.