called him out

USAGE SUMMARY

"called him out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to challenge or criticize someone for their actions or behavior. Example: The coach called him out for not putting in enough effort during practice.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I called him out," Poitras recalled.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They sort of called him out".

The New Yorker

The umpire called him out, and it kept us going".

The New York Times - Sports

"When the police came, I called him out," he said.

The New York Times

"I've called him out a number of times," Fassel said.

The New York Times - Sports

Minchin's approach is unabashedly didactic (one critic called him out for his "preachy fanaticism").

The New Yorker

The plate umpire, Alfonso Marquez, called him out for the pitch, not for his check swing.

The New York Times

He acknowledged as much when the Times called him out and apologized days later.

The Washington Post

But whenever I called him out on it, he wouldn't back down.

The New York Times - Style

Avery's performance came a few hours after his coach more or less called him out with some pointed criticisms.

The New York Times

But the umpire Bill Welke called him out, to Rodriguez's dismay.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "called him out" when you want to emphasize a direct and often public challenge or criticism of someone's actions or statements. It implies a desire for accountability or correction.

Common error

Avoid using "called him out" in situations where a gentle suggestion or private correction is more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong connotation of confrontation and public rebuke.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "called him out" is that of a phrasal verb. It functions as the main verb within a sentence, indicating the action of challenging or criticizing someone, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Sports

13%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "called him out" is a very common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to express direct and often public criticism or challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig, it typically appears in news and media contexts, with sports-related articles also featuring the phrase frequently. While generally considered neutral in tone, it leans towards informality, making it suitable for conversational and journalistic writing. When aiming for a more formal register, alternatives like "criticized" or "challenged" might be more appropriate. Using "called him out" appropriately ensures clarity and impact when addressing accountability or disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenged his statement

Focuses on directly questioning the validity of a statement.

criticized his behavior

Highlights disapproval of someone's actions.

confronted him about

Directly addressing someone about an issue.

exposed his hypocrisy

Emphasizes revealing inconsistencies in someone's words and deeds.

called him to account

Emphasizing the act of holding someone responsible.

held him accountable

Highlights taking actions to make sure someone answer for his actions.

rebuked him for

Suggests a formal or stern reprimand.

took him to task

Implies holding someone accountable for their actions.

questioned his motives

Expresses doubt about the reasons behind someone's actions.

denounced his actions

Publicly condemning someone's behavior.

FAQs

What does "called him out" mean?

The phrase "called him out" means to publicly challenge or criticize someone for something they have said or done. It implies holding them accountable for their actions or statements.

What are some alternative ways to say "called him out"?

You can use alternatives like "challenged his statement", "criticized his behavior", or "confronted him about" depending on the context.

Is "called him out" too informal for professional writing?

While "called him out" is commonly used, it might be considered informal for certain professional contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "criticized", "rebuked", or "challenged".

How do I use "called him out" in a sentence?

Example: "The journalist called him out for making false statements during the interview." Another example: "His own brother "called him out" for dishonesty."