The phrasal verb "call back" is widely used in both informal and formal contexts, though it can often appear more frequently in everyday informal speech, especially when someone is requesting a return phone call. In business settings, "call back" could be considered slightly more formal when used to refer to getting back to someone over the phone as part of professional communication or customer service. The usage of "call back" is primarily linked to telephone communication—requesting, offering, or scheduling a return call. It can also indicate a repeat visit or follow-up in broader scenarios outside of phone calls, such as in customer service or after a meeting. The phrasal verb serves multiple grammatical functions, being used both transitively and intransitively: "I will call her back" (transitive) or "She'll call back" (intransitive).
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To return a phone call to someone who previously tried to call you.
I will call you back after the meeting.
She called back her friend as soon as she saw the missed call.
2. To ask someone to return to a place or position, often because they are needed again.
The company decided to call back its former employees to help with a new project.
He was called back to the stage to receive his award.