Protim Sharma
“Good evening! Where have you been?”
“Good evening. I was in election training for polling personnel the whole day. By the way, can you tell me what is ‘call to arms’?”
“It is a strong request or an invitation, which makes you want to take action or get involved in an activity, more specifically to defend yourself or as an attempt to deal with a difficult situation.”
“Okay... During this election season, don’t we see many leaders engage in a verbal spat with their political opponents as a strategy to defend themselves against verbal attack?”
“Yes. Political mud-slinging is common during elections.”
“Mud-slinging, did you say?”
“It is the act of saying insulting or unfair things about others, especially with an intention to damage their reputation.”
“We can call this a political call to arms, can’t we?”
“Haha, you may... It’s all political rhetoric after all.”
“By political rhetoric, don’t you mean persuasive arguments in everyday political debates?”
“Yes. All political leaders seem to have got the gift of the gab.”
“Gift of what?”
“Gift of the gab. This informal expression is used to mean the ability to speak effortlessly and confidently in a way that makes people listen to you and believe you.”
“Hmm… You are right. All successful politicians must have the gift of the gab!”
“By the way, do you know who controls the affairs of the newly-formed political party? Is it their president who calls the shots?”
“Who calls what?”
“Calls the shots. I mean is he the person who controls the affairs of the party?”
“Oh, okay. It is the executive council, not the president, who calls the shots in their party.”
“I see. It seems their leader shot to fame for his unconventional take on the problems faced by the state.”
“Maybe. But it will be a tough fight.”
“Yes, the government’s recent economic package has proved to be a real shot in the arm for many…”
“What is this ‘shot in the arm’ now? You mean it has proven to be positive for the people?”
“Yes, ‘a shot in the arm’ is a sudden and positive effect on something. It is what makes a bad situation better.”
“Good to know this. Anyway, I’ve got to go now, or I will be late for dinner. You know who gets to call the shots at home, right?”
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