ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: To call out on/ To tide over

Avangi — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:24:54 GMT

Grammar Geek
(Of course, they planned to use their fists, not swords or pistols!)

How the times have changed.

Re: To call out on/ To tide over

Grammar Geek — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:53:00 GMT

Not even so archaic, Clive. I remember in elemenary school, with the burgeoning development of testosterone in the boys, they were "calling each other out" to fight in the playground after school frequently. Nothing came of it, of couse. We must have thought the teachers were deaf and blind to think a fight would ever actually happen.

(Of course, they planned to use their fists, not swords or pistols!)

Re: To call out on/ To tide over

Clive — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:32:43 GMT

Hi,
An archaic meaning of 'call someone out' is 'challenge someone to a duel' (with swords, pistols. etc.)

Possibly 'call out' in modern times might be used to mean 'challenge someone' (eg say 'you're wrong'.)

Best wishes, Clive

Re: To call out on/ To tide over

Avangi — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:11:10 GMT

I agree with GG about "keep you/me/us/them" meaning the same. Just can't think of one with "over."

BTW, I read "call out" = "chew out"

Re: To call out on/ To tide over

Grammar Geek — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:05:16 GMT

Sorry, I didn't read very carefully. You want another phrasal verb that means "to tide over."

"That should keep you" isn't a phrasal verb, but it works.

That should keep you until the check comes.

Re: To call out on/ To tide over

Avangi — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:03:35 GMT

You're right about "calling someone out" (not to be confused with what the umpire does) but my understanding is that it's not exactly a friendly gesture. I believe it's usually done in an extremely negative way.

Sorry, I can't come up with your "tide over" substitute. I haven't heard "keep over" used in that way. It's usually, "The teacher kept us over."

Best wishes, - A.

Re: To call out on/ To tide over

Grammar Geek — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:01:09 GMT

You say "many people"? It's not very familiar to me, though I'm sure I've at least heard it. I think your belief sounds about right. Point out the mistake, hold him accountable for it, ask him to explain it, whatever.

Tide someone over - make it last until the next regular... meal, paycheck, whatever.

If a college student is doing student work-study, but only gets paid once a month, her mother might send her a little spending money in the third week to tide her over until her next paycheck.

We're in the car and not going to reach our desingation until about 2:30, which is way past the time we usually eat lunch. So I have a candy bar to tide me over (control my appetite) until we arrive and can eat.

To call out on/ To tide over

EyeSeeYou — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:37:15 GMT

Call someone out on something: I've seen many people use this phrasal verb which I can't find in the dictionary. What's the exact meaning? I'd bet it means something like pointing out somebody's mistakes. Not sure, though.

Tide over: I used to know another phrasal verb with the preposition OVER meaning the same thintg as 'to tide over' as in this example: "Those sweets will tide the children over until we get home".

To keep over, perhaps? Anyone has a clue?

Thanks for your time.