Definition

Verb phrase: - To challenge someone to prove their claim or threat, typically because you believe they are lying or exaggerating and will be unable to do so. It involves demanding evidence or action to back up a statement that is suspected to be false.

Usage

This phrase is used when someone makes a bold claim or threat, and another person doubts its truthfulness. The person "calling the bluff" directly challenges the claimant to follow through, expecting them to fail or back down. - It is often used in contexts involving negotiation, argument, or games (like poker, where the idiom originates). - The structure is typically: call [someone]'s bluff.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used in various tenses by conjugating the verb "call."
  • He is calling my bluff. (Present Continuous)
  • They have called our bluff before. (Present Perfect)
• It can be applied metaphorically in many non-gambling situations where a challenge to prove something is issued.

Variants and Related Words

• Bluff (verb/noun): As a verb, it means to try to deceive someone about your intentions or strength. As a noun, it refers to such an attempt at deception.
  • He bluffed his way through the interview. (Verb)
  • His threat was just a bluff. (Noun)

Synonyms

• Challenge: To dispute or demand proof from someone.
• Test: To put to the test, especially to see if something is true.
• Dare: To have the courage to challenge someone to do something.

Related Idioms

• Show one's hand: To reveal one's plans, intentions, or resources, especially when one has been secretive. This is related as it is what happens when a bluff is successfully called.
  • By demanding specific evidence, they forced him to show his hand.

Verb

1. ask to prove what someone is claiming
   • John called Mary's bluff when she claimed she could prove the theorem in under an hour