Idioms

a wake-up call

This page is about the idiom a wake-up call

Meaning

An event acts as a wake-up call if it makes people more aware of a danger.

For example

  • I slipped over on the wet floor in my bathroom. I didn't hurt myself badly, but it was a wake-up call and I went out and bought some non-slip mats to stick on the floor.

  • Robert had a pain in the chest, and it was a wake-up call for him. Now he's eating much healthier food and he's exercising more.

Quick Quiz

The bombing of their embassy should have been a wake-up call that told them many people

a. liked what their country was doing

b. didn't like what their country was doing

c. didn't care what their country was doing
a) liked what their country was doing b) didn't like what their country was doing c) didn't care what their country was doing

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey