calling a truce

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   Agreeing to stop fighting or arguing for a period of time.

   Grammar: Used as a verb phrase: calling a truce. The base form is 'call a truce'.

   Patterns

   • calling a truce with someone
   • calling a truce between two sides

   The two countries are finally calling a truce after years of conflict.

   After arguing all morning, the siblings are calling a truce for lunch.

   The manager is calling a truce with the union to discuss pay.

2. 2phraseidiomfigurative

   Pausing a competition or rivalry temporarily by mutual agreement.

   Grammar: Often used in sports or business contexts, with 'with' or 'between'.

   Patterns

   • calling a truce in something
   • calling a truce between rivals

   The rival companies are calling a truce to work on a shared standard.

   The two teams are calling a truce during the charity event.

   They are calling a truce in their long-running legal battle.

Common combinations

calling a truce with someone

The rebels are calling a truce with the government.

calling a truce between two sides

The mediator is calling a truce between the two sides.

calling a temporary truce

The players are calling a temporary truce to fix the field.

Synonyms and how they differ

ceasefire

A ceasefire is a formal military agreement; a truce can be informal and short-term.

armistice

An armistice is a formal agreement to end fighting, often in war; a truce is more general and can be temporary.

Opposites

Word family

truce noun

An agreement to stop fighting for a time.

Commonly confused: calling a truce or truth?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “calling a truce”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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