called your bluff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "called your bluff" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in situations where someone challenges another person's honesty or intentions, often in a context of gambling or negotiation. Example: "When he claimed he could finish the project in a week, I called his bluff, knowing he had never completed anything that quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If the enemy believes that you will not tolerate the deaths of, say, twenty million of your own citizens, then he has called your bluff.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"If somebody calls your bluff, you lose.

The New York Times - Sports

"Sooner or later, somebody is going to call your bluff".

The New York Times

Even if they don't believe you, they won't call your bluff.

The New York Times - Books

But if not, and they call your bluff, you've got a Dr. Strangelove situation.

The New York Times

I'm calling your bluff, old sport, old pip, old cock.

The New Yorker

She used Twitter on Tuesday morning to hit back at Colao, writing: "Message to Vittorio + Vodafone: I call your bluff.

The Guardian - Tech

Neglect neck or dec and Father Time will one day call your bluff and morph you into a maze of fractured lines and planes.

The New York Times

As Simon Jenkins, a former editor of The Economist and the London Times, commented in the Guardian, "The trouble with issuing ultimatums around the globe is that they invite the reckless to call your bluff and make you look a fool".

The New Yorker

Penn: You think I won't call your bluff, but you're mistaken.

TechCrunch

Money calls your bluff.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "called your bluff", ensure that you are prepared for the consequences if the person you are challenging actually follows through with their claim. Be ready to accept the outcome.

Common error

Don't use "called your bluff" lightly. It implies a willingness to see the other person's claim through to the end, so be sure you're prepared for all possible outcomes. Consider whether a softer approach might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "called your bluff" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of challenging someone's insincere claim or threat. It implies a skepticism towards the other person's statement and a desire to test its veracity. The phrase is confirmed as correct in English usage according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

28%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "called your bluff" is a common idiom used to challenge someone's claim or threat, indicating skepticism and a willingness to see if they will follow through. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it serves to express disbelief or expose exaggeration. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, it's important to consider the potential confrontational tone in formal settings. Alternatives like "questioned their claim" or "challenged their assertion" may be more appropriate in such instances. When using the phrase, ensure readiness to accept the outcome if the person being challenged actually acts on their statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

called their hand

Emphasizes revealing someone's true intentions, akin to forcing them to show their cards.

called into question

Highlights the act of casting doubt on the validity or truthfulness of a statement.

challenged the assertion

Focuses on directly opposing a statement with evidence or counter-arguments.

exposed the lie

Implies uncovering a falsehood, often with the intent to reveal deception.

revealed the deception

Highlights the act of unveiling a hidden truth or deceitful plan.

saw through the pretense

Suggests understanding the true nature of someone's facade or false claims.

demanded proof

Emphasizes the act of requesting evidence to substantiate a claim.

tested the claim

Focuses on evaluating the validity of a statement through scrutiny or experimentation.

unmasked the charade

Indicates revealing a deceptive or misleading performance or situation.

took them at their word

Suggests accepting a claim at face value, but with underlying skepticism or doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "called your bluff" in a sentence?

You can use "called your bluff" to describe a situation where you challenge someone's statement or threat, believing they won't follow through. For example, "When he threatened to quit, I "called his bluff", knowing he needed the job."

What's a less confrontational alternative to "called your bluff"?

Instead of "called your bluff", you could say you "challenged their assertion", "questioned their claim", or "asked for proof" to express doubt without direct confrontation.

Is it appropriate to use "called your bluff" in a formal setting?

While "called your bluff" is widely understood, it can be perceived as informal and confrontational. In a formal or professional setting, consider using more neutral language such as "disputed their statement" or "requested clarification".

What does it mean when someone says "I'm calling your bluff"?

When someone says "I'm calling your bluff", they mean they don't believe what you're saying or threatening and want to see if you will actually do it. It's a challenge to prove your sincerity or capability, similar to saying "prove it" or "show me".