A phrase indicating that the decision or choice is left entirely up to the person being addressed, transferring responsibility for the decision to them.
This phrase originated in card games, particularly poker, where 'calling' means matching a bet or making a decision about how to play. It expanded from gaming terminology into general usage in the mid-20th century, maintaining the sense of decision-making responsibility.
The phrase reflects an interesting shift in decision-making culture - by saying 'your call,' we simultaneously show respect for someone's autonomy while also transferring responsibility (and potential blame) for the outcome. It's become particularly common in workplace settings where collaborative decision-making is valued but accountability needs to be clear.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.