Call Someone's Bluff
Meaning
To challenge someone to prove a claim or threat that you suspect is false or exaggerated.
Origin
In the smoky, dimly lit saloons of 19th-century America, the game of poker became a national obsession, giving birth to a vivid piece of language. A player with a weak hand might feign strength, betting aggressively to trick opponents into folding—a "bluff." Doubting this display, a rival player would declare, "I call your bluff," matching the bet to force the bluffer to reveal their cards and expose their deception. This high-stakes challenge, where bravado met skepticism, quickly moved beyond the card table, becoming the perfect idiom for demanding proof when confronted with any boast or threat.
Examples
- The politician threatened to resign if the bill didn't pass, but the opposition leader decided to call his bluff, confident he wouldn't actually step down.
- When my brother said he could beat me in chess blindfolded, I decided to call his bluff and set up the board.