calf
A baby cow, male or female.
A young domestic cow or bull, especially one that is still drinking its mother’s milk or is under about a year old.
The soft, round part on the back of your lower leg, between your knee and your ankle.
The thick, muscular back part of the human lower leg between the knee and the ankle.
A baby of some big animals, for example an elephant, a whale, or a seal.
The young of certain large mammals such as elephants, whales, seals, and deer.
Soft leather made from the skin of a young cow, used for good shoes and bags.
Fine leather made from the skin of a young cow, used especially for shoes, bags, and other high‑quality goods.
- Base: calf
- Plural: calf, calves
calf muscle
1muscle at back of lower leg
The main muscle on the back of the lower part of your leg.
- I injured my calf muscle during the football match.
- Strong calf muscles help you jump higher.
- She goes to the gym to work on her calf muscles.
calf raise
1exercise for calf muscles
An exercise where you stand and lift your heels up and down to make your calf muscles stronger.
- Do three sets of ten calf raises to strengthen your lower legs.
- She finishes every workout with a long set of calf raises.
- Calf raises can be done on a step to increase the range of motion.
cow and calf
1mother cow with her calf
A mother cow and her baby calf together.
- The farmer moved the cow and calf to a safer field.
- We saw a cow and calf standing by the river.
- The vet checked every cow and calf in the herd.
kill the fatted calf
1celebrate with a special feast
To celebrate in a big way, especially with a special meal, when someone comes home or when there is very good news.
- When their son returned from overseas, they killed the fatted calf and invited the whole family.
- The company killed the fatted calf after winning the major contract.
- They are ready to kill the fatted calf if she agrees to come home for the holidays.
make calves' eyes at someone
1look at someone with longing
To look at someone in a very loving or admiring way, so that everyone can see you like them.
- He kept making calves' eyes at her all evening.
- She sat in the corner making calves' eyes at the new teacher.
- Teenagers were making calves' eyes at each other across the room.
pull a calf muscle
1injure your calf muscle
To hurt your calf muscle by using it too hard or in a sudden way.
- He pulled a calf muscle while sprinting in the last lap.
- If you do not warm up properly, you can easily pull a calf muscle.
- She had to stop playing tennis after pulling a calf muscle.