calling card

English

Alternative forms

• calling-card

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Noun

calling card (plural calling cards)

1. A small printed card which identifies the bearer, traditionally presented for introduction when making a social visit to a home or when attending a formal social event or business meeting.

   Synonyms: at-home card, business card, name card, meishi, visiting card

   • 1905, Alice Hegan Rice, chapter 7, in Sandy, page 80:

     If Mrs. Nelson does come here, you be sure to put on your white apron before you open the door; and for pity sake don't forget the card-tray! You ought to know better than to stick out your hand for a lady's calling-card.

2. (figurative) An attribute, symptom, object, or behavior which is distinctly characteristic of someone or something.

   Synonyms: signature, mark, hallmark

   • 2006 May 14, Anne Midgette, “Summer Stages: Mozart, Yes, But Also Much More”, in New York Times‎, retrieved 26 September 2008:

     Free and slightly funky chamber music is the calling card of this festival.

   • 2020 September 2, “Aleksei Navalny Was Poisoned With Novichok, Germany Says”, in New York Times‎:

     The poisoning also turned Novichok into something of a Russian calling card.

   • 2020 October 3, Sanam Yar, “Lili Reinhart Is Just Being Honest”, in New York Times‎:

     She didn’t set out to make candor her calling card.

3. (euphemistic) Excrement, especially of a domestic animal.
   • 2005 January 21, Dwight Perry, “Sideline Chatter: Just doo it”, in Seattle Times‎, retrieved 26 September 2008:

     A guide dog left his calling card on the court at Tuesday night's Magic-Pistons game in Orlando.

4. A phonecard.

   Synonym: telephone card

   • 2003 November 22, Michelle Singletary, “Traveler beware: Free things may cost you money”, in seattlepi.com‎, retrieved 26 September 2008:

     Many experts now advise consumers to use a prepaid calling card to save money on long distance calls while staying in a hotel.

5. A card advertising the services of a prostitute.

   Synonym: tart card

6. (World War I– World War II military slang) An explosive dropped from a bomber aeroplane.

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