calling card
14
4.1
- noun
- /ˈkɔːlɪŋ kɑːrd/
:
sello distintivo
- Her unique style is her calling card, making her instantly recognizable in the fashion industry.
- leave their calling card
- became the calling card
- killer's calling card
And it's, it's such a great calling card for us that it was worth it.
- And it's, it's such a great calling card for us that it was worth it.
- Maybe that script, you know, was your calling card, but you should have others under your belt.
- And his calling card, if you like, was he bit the nipples off and that's what he did.
- And there was no higher career calling card than to work with Woody Allen.
- You don't leave my calling card at the crime scene.
- This is a calling card for pedophiles, for older groomers to find her and help her disassociate with her body more.
Examples
-
Brooks is clearly comfortable with what he's done so far; however, his loyalty to his players is one of his calling cards.
Blog text (9) -
For jobs, speaking gigs, etc., my website is the only calling card I need.
Academic text (2011) -
And it's, it's such a great calling card for us that it was worth it.
-
I actually think that it may be his calling card.
-
This is gonna be my calling card.
-
And he leaves his calling card.
-
Everyone keeps waiting for you to work it in - it's your calling card.
Fiction book (1993) -
Whether physical or online, your portfolio is your career calling card.
Blog text (1) -
When your calling card is your authenticity, you can never go wrong just being yourself.
Blog text (18) -
Yes, it's the distinctive calling card of a criminal mastermind.
Synonyms
49
4.3
A special feature people notice about someone or something
45
3.6
A typical feature that shows what a person, place, or thing is like
35
4.7
A typical feature that shows what someone or something is like
4
5.6
A clear feature that helps you recognize someone or something
2
4.1
A clear quality that makes a person or thing different
1
3.7
A quality that makes a person or thing stand out
A clear feature that people notice in someone's work or appearance
Surface Forms
Morphology
The figurative sense 'a distinctive feature' is only loosely linked to the parts: 'card' can denote an identifier (like a business/visiting card) and 'calling' relates to one's role, so there is a metaphorical extension from an identifying card to an identifying trait. A B1 learner who knows the literal words is likely to think of a physical/business card and would not reliably infer the abstract idiomatic meaning without prior exposure, so the relation is partial but not fully transparent.
Etymology
Calling card as a phrase for a person's usual sign comes from the idea of leaving a card or mark to show who did something, for example a thief leaving a red ribbon as proof. So the phrase now means a 'distinctive feature' or habit that shows who someone is.