Phrase guide

duty calls

phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

phrase

Meaning 1

Expresses that the speaker must go and deal with something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Excuse me, gentlemen, but I'm afraid duty calls.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: de plicht roept — expresses that the speaker has something they must do
  • Finnish: velvollisuus kutsuu — expresses that the speaker has something they must do
  • French: le devoir m'appelle — expresses that the speaker has something they must do
  • German: die Pflicht ruft — expresses that the speaker has something they must do
  • Khmer: មានរវល់ (méanrôvlô) — expresses that the speaker has something they must do
  • Khmer: ជាប់រវល់ (chéabrôvôl) — expresses that the speaker has something they must do
  • Polish: obowiązki wzywają — expresses that the speaker has something they must do
  • Portuguese: o dever me chama — expresses that the speaker has something they must do