Definition

1. Noun:
   • A distinguishing characteristic or behavior: A unique feature, signature method, or typical action that identifies a particular person, group, or phenomenon.
   • A printed or written greeting left to indicate a visit: A small card, often bearing one's name, left at someone's home or office to show that one has visited.
   • A card used to pay for telephone calls: A prepaid card or charge card used to make telephone calls, often from public phones, instead of using cash.

Usage Examples

• As a distinguishing characteristic:
  • The elaborate signature was the artist's calling card.
  • Meticulous planning is his calling card in every project.
• As a card left after a visit:
  • In the 19th century, gentlemen left their calling cards after a social visit.
  • She dropped off her calling card at the office while he was away.
• As a telephone payment card:
  • He bought an international calling card to phone home from abroad.
  • The payphone requires either coins or a calling card.

Advanced Usage

• Metaphorical use for a signature style: Often used to describe an artist's or creator's recognizable hallmark.
  • The director's use of long, continuous shots became his cinematic calling card.
• In criminal or intelligence contexts: Can refer to a modus operandi or a signature left at a scene.
  • The specific type of knot used was the killer's calling card.

Variants and Related Words

• Business card: A card bearing professional contact details, often exchanged in business contexts. (Note: While related, a "business card" is for contact information, whereas a "calling card" traditionally announced a visit).
• Phone card: A more modern and common synonym for the telephone payment meaning of "calling card."

Synonyms

• Hallmark: A distinctive feature, especially of excellence (for the characteristic meaning).
• Visiting card: A direct synonym for the card left after a visit.
• Telephone card: A synonym for the payment card used for phone calls.

Related Phrases

• Leave one's calling card: To leave behind evidence of one's presence or involvement, literally or figuratively.
  • The graffiti artist left his calling card on the wall.
• A calling card to the world: Something that serves as an introduction or representation of oneself to a wider audience.
  • Her breakthrough novel was her calling card to the literary world.

Noun

1. a distinguishing characteristic or behavior
   • bombs are a terrorist's calling cards
2. a printed or written greeting that is left to indicate that you have visited
3. a card that is used instead of cash to make telephone calls