at one's beck and call
Ready to serve
At one's beck and call describes being constantly available to serve someone's wishes, ready to respond to their slightest request.
A beck is an archaic gesture of summoning, so the phrase pairs two ways of commanding attention.
She expects her assistant to be at her beck and call twenty-four hours a day.
The expression often carries a note of resentment about excessive demands.
One employed to serve
- butlerChief domestic servant
- valetPersonal servant or parker
- maidHousehold cleaning worker
- lackeyServile follower or minion
attendant · footman · handmaiden · minion · flunky · retainer · manservant · housekeeper
Readily yielding to control
- obedientFollowing commands willingly
- compliantYielding to others' wishes
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- deferentialShowing humble submission
subservient · meek · yielding · biddable · acquiescent · servile · obsequious · fawning
Available when summoned
- readySuitable for use now
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- standbyReady substitute awaiting use
- availableReady to be used
accessible · responsive · attentive · prompt · eager · willing · at the ready · on hand
servant
One employed to serve
lackey · attendant · footman · handmaiden · minion · flunky · retainer · manservant · housekeeper · aide
submissive
Readily yielding to control
- obedientFollowing commands willingly
- compliantYielding to others' wishes
- docileEasily controlled or taught
deferential · subservient · meek · yielding · biddable · acquiescent · servile · obsequious · fawning · groveling
on-call
Available when summoned
available · accessible · responsive · attentive · prompt · eager · willing · at the ready · on hand · prepared
at one's beck and callindependent
Free from external control
autonomous · self-governing · free · self-reliant · in charge
at one's beck and callin charge
Having authority over
calling the shots · holding the reins · in the driver's seat · the boss · in control
at one's beck and callunavailable
Cannot be accessed
unresponsive · inaccessible · unreachable · indifferent · aloof
beckon, beckoned, beckoning, beckons, called, calling, caller, recall, recalled