wake-up call

noun [C] (SHOCKING EVENT) /ˈweɪkˌʌp ˌkɔl/

Definition

› a shocking event that changes the way many people think: Fish and Game officials got a wake-up call in a survey on wildlife-related issues.

(Definition of wake-up call noun (SHOCKING EVENT) from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

to express disagreement or refuse to do something

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