American & Australian

an event that warns someone that they need to deal with an urgent or dangerous problem.

The 1971 earthquake was a wake-up call to strengthen the city's bridges. (often + to do something)

The World Trade Center bombing has served as a wake-up call to the FBI on terrorism. (often + to)

• let something ride
• let something slide
• let something slip
• let something slip through fingers
• let something slip through your fingers
• let something speak for itself
• let something speak for themselves
• let speak for itself
• let speak for themselves
• let's see
• letter of the law
• let the cat out of the bag
• let the chips fall
• let the chips fall where they may
• let the devil take the hindmost
• let the genie out of the bottle
• let the grass grow under feet
• let the grass grow under your feet
• let the side down
• let things slide
• let up
• let up on
• let up on someone
• let up on something
• let well alone