PhrasesHub

At one's beck and call

    Definitions

      • Being at someone's constant service
        To describe a person who is always available and ready to fulfill someone else's demands or needs.

      • Being under someone's control or command
        To describe a person who is obedient and follows someone else's orders without question or hesitation.

    Examples of At one's beck and call

    • The wealthy heiress had her servants at her beck and call, attending to her every whim.

      "At her beck and call" means the heiress's servants are always ready and available to respond immediately to her orders or requests.

    • As an intern, Jake felt like he was constantly at the beck and call of the company's executives.

      Jake is required to be always ready to serve the executives whenever they need him.

    • During the conference, the tech support team was at the beck and call of the presenters to ensure no technical difficulties occurred.

      The tech support team was immediately available to assist presenters with any technical issues that might arise.

    • Isn't it amazing how pets can have their human owners at their beck and call with just a meow or a bark?

      Pet owners often respond promptly to their pets' sounds, indicating that the animals effectively command their owners' attention.

    • My grandmother, with her kind heart, was at her neighbors' beck and call, always ready to lend a helping hand.

      The grandmother is always willing and available to help her neighbors whenever they ask for assistance.

    • The CEO likes having his personal assistant at his beck and call, even on weekends.

      The CEO expects his assistant to be on hand and ready to serve him whenever needed, including days off.

    • The five-star hotel promised that their staff would be at the beck and call of all guests.

      The hotel staff is committed to being readily available to respond promptly to any guest requests.

    • "You need to learn to say no sometimes; you can't be at your friends' beck and call constantly," Samantha admonished her brother.

      Samantha is advising her brother not to always be immediately ready to do what his friends ask of him.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "at one's beck and call" is used to describe someone who is always at the disposal of another person, ready to fulfill their every demand or need. It can also refer to being under someone's complete control or command. The intention behind this idiom is to convey a sense of subservience and availability to the person being addressed.

    This idiom can be used in both positive and negative contexts. In a positive sense, it can be used to describe a dedicated and loyal servant who is always ready to serve their master. However, in a negative sense, it can also imply a lack of independence and autonomy, being constantly at someone else's beck and call.

    Origin of "At one's beck and call"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where it was commonly used in the English language. The word "beck" is derived from an Old English word "becc," which means a gesture or nod. It was used in conjunction with the word "call," which referred to a vocal summons or request.

    In medieval times, it was a common practice for nobility and royalty to have servants who were always at their beck and call, ready to fulfill their every whim and desire. This phrase was also used to describe the relationship between a lord and his vassal, where the vassal was expected to be obedient and at the lord's beck and call.

    Today, the idiom "at one's beck and call" has become a commonly used phrase in the English language, with its origins rooted in the medieval era. It continues to convey the same meaning of being constantly at someone's service or under their control.