judgment call
noun1
Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports A ruling by an umpire, referee, or similar official during a sporting event, based on his or her perception of events and in the absence of any objective measurement.
- The rookie outfielder was waved out before he reached the plate. The reason for the rare judgment call? According to Rule 7.09 (i), a coach cannot "assist" a runner.1983 September 26, J. D. Reed, “Can Anyone Win This Thing?”, in Time:
2
Any decision or other determination based on subjective criteria, especially one which takes into account the particular circumstances of a situation.
- This probably ought to be a judgment call made by individual teachers who know their students well.2005, Jackie Wiggins, “Fostering Revision and Extension in Student Composing”, in Music Educators Journal, volume 91, number 3, page 37:
3
Christianity The summons which will call the spirits of the deceased to their heavenly reward at the time of Final Judgment.
- So stood I, by an atmosphere beguiled Of glad surprise, when first thy lips let fall The name I lightly carried when a child, That I shall rise to at the judgment call.1894, Gilbert Parker, “Recognition,”, in A Lover's Diary:
- Related terms
- value judgment