calls it down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calls it down" is not standard in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used in a context where someone is invoking or summoning something, but clarity is needed for proper usage. Example: "During the ceremony, the leader calls it down, asking for blessings from the spirits."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He is always "roading", as he calls it, down the criss-crossing tracks that quaintly preserve their A-road designations.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

People down here -- and they call it "down here" -- are always weighing the tradeoffs they make.

The New York Times

'Bowling dry', they call it down under, and the Antipodeans, who have to win this game to level the series, were neutered.

The Guardian - Sport

They were making brilliantly crafted modern soul and funk that had the tough southern edge of the Atlanta ghetto (or trap, as they called it down there) but sounded like nothing else.

The Guardian - Music

Or as they call it down south, a double-wide margin.

The New York Times

But this time, the continental shelf, as Larkin called it, down which we totter into decrepitude, has become abruptly steeper.

The Guardian

He acknowledged that the top 10 settlements were skewed toward foreign companies, but said: "I am convinced that we are calling it down the middle.

The New York Times

On the dinner shift, or supper — which is what we call it down this way — we're the ones who prepared the last meals because executions took place there at the Walls Unit.

The New York Times

Before, seven years ago, I lived in Chicago ("up north" as we call it down here).

Huffington Post

So since we don't really like having song titles being the title of the record, 'cause it brings this weird, undue focus to the song, I thought it would be cool to call it Down on the Upside.

Wikipedia

When he makes a sale like that, he calls it "taking him down".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "calls it down", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, providing explicit subject matter. Use "calls it down" when referring to a specific invocation or summoning within a defined cultural or idiomatic context for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "calls it down" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure that the subject being referred to is explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding text to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

Transitive verb phrase. The phrase "calls it down" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "calls" is the verb, "it" is the direct object, and "down" functions as an adverbial particle modifying the verb. This construction indicates an action performed upon a specific object to bring it "down", which could imply summoning or invoking something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "calls it down" is an interesting expression that, as noted by Ludwig AI, isn't standard in written English and often requires contextual understanding. Grammatically acceptable, it functions as a transitive verb phrase indicating the action of invoking or summoning something. Its usage is relatively uncommon, primarily appearing in news and media and general web content. When writing, clarity is crucial: ensure the antecedent of "it" is clear and that the context aligns with the implied meaning of invocation or designation. Consider alternatives such as "names it", "designates it", or "refers to it as" for potentially clearer communication. Though versatile, "calls it down" benefits from careful and deliberate use to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

names it

Focuses on the act of giving a specific name to something, omitting the "down" which implies direction or intensity.

designates it

Emphasizes the act of formally assigning a particular status or role.

refers to it as

Highlights the act of mentioning or alluding to something using a specific term.

terms it

Similar to "calls it", but suggests a more technical or specialized vocabulary.

labels it

Focuses on attaching a specific label, often for categorization or identification.

identifies it as

Highlights the act of recognizing or establishing something as a particular thing.

characterizes it as

Focuses on describing the distinct qualities or features of something.

describes it as

Emphasizes providing a detailed account of something's attributes or qualities.

defines it as

Highlights the act of establishing a precise meaning or scope.

coins the term

Focuses on inventing a new word or phrase, omitting the object itself. Also the alternative does not include the pronoun 'it'.

FAQs

How can I use "calls it down" in a sentence?

The phrase "calls it down" is used to describe a ritualistic summoning or a specific invocation. For example, "During the ceremony, the leader "calls it down", asking for blessings from the spirits".

What does "calls it down" mean?

The phrase "calls it down" often implies a deliberate act of summoning or invoking something, typically spiritual or abstract, into a physical or tangible realm or situation.

What are some alternatives to "calls it down"?

You can use alternatives like "summons it" or "invokes it" depending on the context, which may offer a more conventional expression.

Is "calls it down" a formal expression?

The formality of "calls it down" depends on the context. It is generally informal, but it can be used in more formal settings when referring to cultural or idiomatic practices where such language is appropriate.