answer the call

answer the call

English

Verb

answer the call (third-person singular simple present answers the call, present participle answering the call, simple past and past participle answered the call)

1. To voluntarily perform a task or set of tasks with which one is confronted, especially when motivated by a sense of responsibility or duty.
   • 2011 April 11, Kyle Whitaker, "Transform your business and take the lead on sustainability," Guardian (UK) (retrieved 29 October 2020):

     And we need leaders with transformative vision to show us the way. The question is: Who will answer the call?

   • 2014 January 5, Richard Pérez-Peña, "I May Be 50, but Don’t Call Me a Boomer," New York Times (retrieved 29 October 2020):

     The fathers you knew had served in World War II, and probably thought their sons should answer the call, too.

   • 2019 February 27, Gavin McCafferty, "Neil Lennon delivers rallying cry to Celtic after taking over as manager," Independent (UK) (retrieved 29 October 2020):

     Neil Lennon declared "Celtic comes first" after answering the call following Brendan Rodgers' sudden departure. […] "[T]here is a chasm to fill with Brendan leaving, who has done a remarkable job. But I'm here for the club."

See also

• answer the call of nature
• rise to the occasion