call someone's bluff
Meaning
To challenge someone’s threat, claim, or show of confidence by demanding proof or action, believing they are pretending and won’t follow through.
Origin
From poker: to “call” is to match a bet, and a “bluff” is betting strongly with a weak hand to deceive others. Figuratively, it means challenging a suspected deception or empty threat.
Notes
Often confrontational: you force someone to prove a threat/claim. Common in negotiation or conflict. Implies you believe they’re pretending; can sound accusatory, so use with care.
Examples
-
When he threatened to quit, the manager called his bluff and accepted his resignation on the spot.
-
I thought she was exaggerating about having other offers, so I called her bluff and asked to see the emails.
-
The prosecutor called the defendant’s bluff by demanding he testify under oath.
-
They kept saying they’d walk away from the deal, but we called their bluff and signed with another supplier.
-
If you call his bluff in front of everyone, be ready for him to double down instead of backing off.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Pattern: call + someone’s + bluff (my/your/his/her/our/their). Verb inflects (called, calling). Can be used with pronoun object: call his bluff. Fairly fixed; “bluff” usually singular.
Synonyms
- challenge
- test
- call someone out
- force someone's hand
- put someone to the test
Antonyms
- back down
- fold
- give in
- cave
- avoid confrontation