collect call

collect call (plural collect calls)

1. (Canada, US) A telephone call paid for by the receiver (callee), as opposed to the caller.

   Hello, operator — I'd like to make a collect call.

• The usage is arguably dated in the respect that, although the option still technically exists, its use is now unusual, whereas it once was common (from c. 1920s to the early 2000s).

• call collect