call out

English translation: challenge to a fight

09:51 Dec 5, 2016

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

English term or phrase: call out

Hello everyone,

John Kavanagh in his book uses "call smb out" several times.

"Even though he was only one fight into his UFC career, many fighters ***had already been calling Conor out*** in the media. Perhaps they were envious of the publicity he was receiving. Guys who had been in the UFC for years were now seemingly being ignored, while Conor, this cocky newcomer, was suddenly the centre of attention. Some of them expressed their frustration by trash-talking Conor. When they did, Conor marked it down. Every single time. If you’re a UFC fighter who has ever had something negative to say about Conor, rest assured that he has taken note."

"Conor’s ability to get inside his opponent’s head long before the fight takes place is often spoken about. We had seen evidence of that for the Diego Brandão fight, and there was plenty more with Dustin Poirier. Even prior to the fight being announced, Poirier ***had been calling Conor out*** for quite some time via the media. Clearly envi‑ ous of the amount of attention – and financial rewards – he was receiving, despite being new on the scene, a lot of guys didn’t like Conor."

Does "call out" mean criticize or challenge to a duel/fight?
I have a feeling that in the first example "call out" probably means "criticize" and in the second one it means "challenge to a fight", but I'm not sure.

Thank you.

Mikhail Korolev KudoZ activity Questions: 2410 (none open) (10 closed without grading) Answers: 130
Local time: 19:16

Selected answer:challenge to a fight

Explanation:
In the boxing/fighting world such challenges are sadly usually accompanied by "trash talk" - basically belittling your opponent in order to provoke them into a fight.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 mins (2016-12-05 10:05:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/11/17/13661516/morning-repor...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2016-12-05 13:16:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In the old days a duel would be fought over a point of honour. And in a way, this is why the trash talk is necessary. If someone insults you, then you are obliged to fight them. It makes it more personal, and not "just" about the money!

Selected response from:

Mark Nathan
France
Local time: 18:16

Grading comment

Thank you, Mark.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

5 +6

challenge to a fight

Mark Nathan

Answers

6 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +6

challenge to a fight

Mark Nathan
France
Local time: 18:16
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 78

Grading comment

Thank you, Mark.

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you, Mark.

Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations