duty calls duty calls {n. phr.} One must attend to one's obligations. "I'd love to stay and play more poker," Henry said, "but duty calls and I must get back to the office." Categories: add yours call love {n. phr.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2025 To section: D Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Post my comment