Meaning trap

call on

draw upon (resources, qualities, or skills)

To make use of a particular resource, quality, or skill, especially when it is needed to deal with a situation.

phrasal verbC1occasional

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

draw upon (resources, qualities, or skills)

To make use of a particular resource, quality, or skill, especially when it is needed to deal with a situation.

call on (ask someone to speak or act)

'call on' also has the more basic meaning 'ask someone to speak or act'; this is the advanced sense.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

In times of crisis, leaders must call on their experience and resilience to guide their teams.abstract
When facing unexpected challenges, individuals often need to call on their creativity and adaptability to find effective solutions.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: call on sb/sth (to do sth) | call on sth

WrongHe called on to his years of training.

RightHe called on his years of training.

'Call on' takes the object directly — no 'to'.

Patterncall on sb/sth (to do sth) | call on sth

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff She utilised all of her experience to handle the crisis.

Natural She called on all her experience to handle it.

'Call on (your skills/experience)' is the natural verb for drawing on a resource; 'utilised' is corporate.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

call on + resource
experienceyour reservesexpertisecourage

Don't confuse it

Unlike the B1 sense ('ask someone to speak or act'), this sense is figurative and refers to using a resource or ability, not requesting a person to do something. It is also different from the B2 sense ('visit briefly'), as it does not involve physically going somewhere.

call on (ask someone to speak or act) — 'call on' also has the more basic meaning 'ask someone to speak or act'; this is the advanced sense.

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