wake-up call

Meaning

Literally, this is a telephone call requested at a hotel to wake someone up. Figuratively, it refers to an event, shock, or realization that alerts someone to a danger or problem, forcing them to take action or change their behavior.

Examples

• I asked the hotel reception for a wake-up call at 6:00 AM.

  I asked the hotel reception for a wake-up call at 6:00 AM.

• Getting a high cholesterol reading was a real wake-up call for him to start exercising.

  Getting a high cholesterol reading was a real wake-up call for him to start exercising.

• The near-miss car accident served as a wake-up call to stop texting while driving.

  The near-miss car accident served as a wake-up call to stop texting while driving.

• The sudden power outage was a wake-up call that we need emergency supplies.

  The sudden power outage was a wake-up call that we need emergency supplies.

• Losing his job was the wake-up call he needed to finally go back to school.

  Losing his job was the wake-up call he needed to finally go back to school.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The doctor gave me a wake-up call about my diet.

  ✓ The doctor's diagnosis was a wake-up call about my diet.

  'Wake-up call' is usually an event or a realization itself, not something a person actively 'gives' you as advice. An event 'serves as' or 'is' a wake-up call.

• ✗ I need to wake up call tomorrow early.

  ✓ I need a wake-up call tomorrow early.

  'Wake-up call' is a noun phrase, not a verb. You cannot say 'to wake up call'. You 'get', 'request', or 'receive' a wake-up call.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Missing the flight was a ___ that I need to be more organized.

  💡 a shocking realization

  Show answer

  wake-up call

• Can I schedule a ___ for 7:00 AM tomorrow morning?

  💡 hotel morning phone service

  Show answer

  wake-up call