Call of duty

Meaning

The idiom "call of duty" refers to an individual's obligation to perform a task or fulfill a responsibility, often associated with serving the public good or one's country. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who feels compelled to act in a certain way due to their conscience or sense of duty.

Usage

• As a soldier, John felt a strong call of duty to protect his fellow soldiers and complete the mission at all costs.
• Even though it was her day off, Mary decided to go back to work because she felt a call of duty to help out her colleagues.
• The firefighters rushed into the burning building without hesitation, knowing that their call of duty required them to save lives.
• As a public servant, it is important to remember your call of duty to serve the people and uphold the laws of the land.
• The athletes on the team felt a call of duty to perform at their best during the competition for the sake of their fans and fellow teammates. The usage of "call of duty" can vary depending on the context. It can be used to describe an individual's sense of obligation in any profession or role, not just in military or public service roles. The level of urgency and importance associated with the task can also vary depending on the situation.

Roots and History

The phrase "call of duty" has been used in English since at least the 14th century. It originally referred to a legal obligation or moral imperative to perform a specific task, such as serving in the military or fulfilling one's civic duties. Over time, the idiom took on a more metaphorical meaning that described someone who felt compelled to act in a certain way due to their conscience or sense of duty.

Synonyms in English

• Duty bound
• Obligation
• Responsibility
• Fiduciary duty
• Professional responsibility

Synonyms in other languages

• 義務法律 (Gōmu hōkō) - Japanese
• 責任力 (Zhě xìng lì) - Chinese
• 稳定性 (Stabilității) - Romanian
• 義務負責 (Gōmu nè zhě) - Vietnamese
• 责任任务 (Zhě xìng rènwù) - Chinese

Similar Idioms

• no picnic

• cry over spilt milk

• camp follower