Beck and Call or *Beckon Call | Meaning & Spelling

Beck and call is part of the expression “at someone’s beck and call,” meaning “ready to do whatever someone asks.”

“Beckon call” is sometimes used instead of beck and call, but it’s incorrect and should be avoided.

Examples: Beck and call and beckon call in a sentence
  • Rose is at the beckon call of her boss.
  • Rose is at the beck and call of her boss.
  • I’m not at your beckon call.
  • I’m not at your beck and call.
Note
While the noun beck is closely related to the verb beckon, they don’t mean the same thing and can’t be used interchangeably. Beck is quite rarely used outside of this expression in modern English.

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Beck and call

Beck and call is part of the idiom “at someone’s beck and call” meaning “available and willing to do whatever someone asks.” It’s typically used to mean that someone expects too much from someone else or that someone is subservient or servile.

Examples: Beck and call in a sentence
I frequently touch base with my manager, but I can’t be at her beck and call 24-7.

Petra and Ana are at the beck and call of their older sister.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a synonym of beck and call?

Beck and call is part of the expression “at someone’s beck and call,” meaning “willing to do whatever someone asks.” Some synonyms for “beck and call” include:

  • (At someone’s) command
  • (At someone’s) disposal
  • (At someone’s) service
What does beckon mean?

Beckon is a verb meaning “summon someone by gesturing.” It’s sometimes mistakenly used instead of “beck and” in the expression beck and call.

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Ryan, E. (2023, August 23). Beck and Call or *Beckon Call | Meaning & Spelling. Scribbr. Retrieved January 8, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/common-mistakes/beck-and-call-or-beckon-call/

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Eoghan Ryan

Eoghan has a lot of experience with theses and dissertations at bachelor's, MA, and PhD level. He has taught university English courses, helping students to improve their research and writing.