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wake-up call

Wake up call is an arrangement made for a telephone to ring at a certain time to serve as an alarm clock.

(noun)

An example of a wake up call is when you tell the hotel front desk to call you at 7:00 AM.

The definition of a wake up call is something that makes you change your behavior or attitude.

(noun)

An example of a wake up call is when you have a heart attack and you realize that life is short and you should spend it with your kids instead of working all day.

See wake-up call in Webster's New World College Dictionary

a telephone call made by a wake-up service
anything that serves to arouse someone from apathy or inactivity

See wake-up call in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A telephone call that one requests to occur at a specific time in order to be woken up, especially in a hotel.
A sign or warning that alerts one to negative or dangerous behavior or circumstances: “Her personal life was spiraling out of control . . . and her brush with death came as a wake-up call” (Geraldine Fabrikant).

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