call someone's number

Definitions

1. To be assigned to carry the ball at the start of a play.
2. To focus on someone, asking them to prove themselves.
   broadly, idiomatic
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see call, number.

Examples

“So on the first play⟳, I asked the quarterback to call⟳ my number⟳ on an end⟳ sweep⟳.”

“Billy was shocked; he didn't get⟳ that call⟳ once during spring⟳ practice, and now, in the spring⟳ game, they want⟳ to call⟳ his number⟳ on the first play⟳.”

“Now he told me that when the coach had diagrammed plays, he would move⟳ to the back of the huddle, in the hope⟳ that the coach wouldn't call⟳ his number⟳.”

“I am glad to have⟳ that comment⟳, Sir. I think⟳ you have⟳ about called our number⟳ on that.”

“"I'm sure about this one," I said. "I'm starting the preparations." “Ok, I'm calling your number⟳ on this one. I got your word, and everyone else is out of the way.””

“People have⟳ certainly died from laughing gas,” he says. “They can get⟳ into serious trouble⟳ using tanks and masks and they certainly shouldn’t be driving while doing it and should be careful round rivers and swimming pools,” he says. “But the second you get⟳ into saying people using nitrous in balloons is a massive issue⟳, people will call⟳ your number⟳ on that, and they’re right. It’s a concern⟳ that it’s going up, the numbers of people using are quite stunning, but it’s not the most dangerous thing by a mile.””

“He called her number⟳ on his cell phone.”

CEFR level