wake-up call
The term 'wake-up call' originates from the hospitality industry but is widely used metaphorically to signify a moment of realization or urgent alert.
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Definition
A2Hospitality
(service)A phone call made to wake someone up at a pre-arranged time, usually provided by hotels.
Example
- The hotel offered a wake-up call service to ensure guests wouldn't miss their early flights.
B2General
(figurative)An event or realization that prompts someone to address an issue or change behavior.
Example
- The sudden illness was a wake-up call for him to start living a healthier lifestyle.
- The financial crisis served as a wake-up call for many businesses to reevaluate their strategies.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "wake-up call":