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whistle for

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whistle for someone or something

to summon someone or something by whistling. I stood on the corner and whistled for a cab, but they all ignored me. I whistled for the dog, but it did not appear.

See also: whistle

whistle for

Ask for or expect without any prospect of success, as in If you want a cash refund, you can just whistle for it. [Mid-1700s]

See also: whistle

whistle for

v.

To summon someone or something by whistling: I whistled for my dog.

See also: whistle