feeble call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeble call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a weak or ineffective request or signal, often implying a lack of strength or urgency. Example: "The feeble call for help went unheard in the bustling city streets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I'd be awakened by a low, feeble call from him," Brown recalled.

The New York Times

In The Shape of the Table (1990), about the collapse of the eastern bloc, his dissident president ends not by ushering in a new era, but with a feeble call to ape western capitalism: "Let's just get back to the normal ordinary way of doing things," he announces in the final act, "the way they do them in the west".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A lot, if you consider the bananas hurled at black soccer players in different parts of Europe, igniting outrage among international players and feeble calls for tolerance by coaches.

The New York Times

When the editor retired at the age of eighty, one of his apprentices carried on with a feeble sheet called"The New-York Evening Post".

The New Yorker

This is just feeble name-calling rather in the spirit of your "yadda-yadda" outburst on BBC Question Time a few weeks ago.

The Guardian

And the traders who, in the euro's feeble early months, called it a "toilet currency"?

The Economist

If your list is still looking a little feeble, then I would call the local careers companies (look under Careers Advice in the Yellow Pages), formally local authority careers services which now operate as commercial organisations.

Science Magazine

In a more negative light, Liat Kornowski of The Huffington Post called the song a "feeble attempt at a clubby track fit for after-midnight".

Wikipedia

Instantly, this is enough to shake him out of what he calls "my feeble little French-vanilla existence".

The New York Times - Books

Libya, represented by its ambassador to the Arab League, denounced what it called the feeble response of Arab nations to the bloodshed.

The New York Times

He could throw the ball further than anyone his father had seen, but was mildly frustrated when his sister, Victoria, 23, did not share his passion – teasingly calling her "feeble Phoebie" for her girlish attempts to do the same.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeble call" to describe a weak or ineffective attempt to communicate or signal something, often implying a lack of strength or urgency. For instance, "The injured hiker's feeble call for help went unheard in the dense forest."

Common error

Avoid using "feeble call" when you simply mean a quiet call. "Feeble" implies weakness or ineffectiveness, not just low volume.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble call" functions as a noun phrase, where "feeble" modifies the noun "call". It describes the quality of the call, indicating that it is weak, ineffective, or lacking in strength. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a weak or ineffective attempt to communicate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeble call" is a grammatically correct and relatively rare expression used to describe a weak or ineffective attempt to communicate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is accurate and usable in English. The primary context of usage is in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure that the connotation of weakness and ineffectiveness is intended. If you simply mean a quiet call, but with no judgment of its effectiveness, another adjective should be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Weak appeal

Replaces "call" with "appeal", emphasizing the act of requesting or pleading.

Faint cry

Substitutes "call" with "cry", suggesting a sound that is barely audible.

Feeble attempt to contact

Replaces "call" with a more descriptive phrase, highlighting the act of trying to reach someone.

Ineffectual summons

Uses a more formal term for "call" and highlights the lack of success.

Soft invitation

Replaces "call" with "invitation", suggesting a gentle or subdued request.

Muted request

Emphasizes the quietness or lack of force in the request.

Subdued signal

Focuses on the lack of intensity in the signal being sent.

Timid announcement

Highlights the hesitant or shy nature of the announcement.

Gentle nudge

Uses a metaphor to suggest a subtle prompting.

Limp invitation

Replace "feeble" with a similiar meaning adjective.

FAQs

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

You can use "feeble call" to describe a weak or ineffective attempt to communicate or signal something. For example: "Despite the severity of the situation, the distress call was a "feeble call", barely audible over the radio."

What are some alternatives to "feeble call"?

Some alternatives include "weak appeal", "faint cry", or "ineffectual summons" depending on the specific context.

Is "feeble call" a formal or informal expression?

"Feeble call" is a fairly neutral expression and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "ineffectual summons" might be preferred in certain settings.

What does "feeble" exactly mean in "feeble call"?

In "feeble call", "feeble" means weak, ineffective, or lacking in strength. It suggests that the call is not powerful or effective enough to achieve its intended purpose.