Call bluff

Meaning

The idiom "call bluff" means to challenge someone's statement or action, especially when that person is trying to deceive or manipulate others. It implies that the person who is being challenged knows what they are talking about and is able to prove their point.

Usage

• The politician called out the journalist for lying on national television, forcing them to back down from their false claims.
• My boss tried to call bluff on me during negotiations, but I had all of my facts ready and proved him wrong.
• When the homeowner refused to pay her mortgage, the lender threatened legal action and called bluff to get her to make the payment.
• The detective called out the suspect's alibi as false, forcing them to confess to the crime they had been accused of.
• When my friend said she didn't like pizza, I challenged her statement by ordering a large pepperoni pie and calling bluff on her claim.

Roots and History

The idiom "call bluff" has its roots in the game of bridge. In bridge, a "bluff" is when a player makes a false statement or action in order to gain an advantage over their opponents. When another player calls out a bluff, it means that they have discovered the lie and are not fooled by it. The idiom has been used since the early 20th century and has become a common expression in modern language. Its meaning has remained largely unchanged over time.

Synonyms in English

• Challenge
• Refute
• Debunk
• Undermine
• Disprove

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "desmentir" (to debunk)
• French: "démentir" (to disprove)
• Italian: "dimentire" (to forget)
• German: "entkräften" (to weaken)
• Portuguese: "debunkar" (to debunk)

Similar Idioms

• when the chips are down

• clean sweep

• can’t stand the sight of