What does this phrasal verb mean: 'call in at'?

[rich7]

Test No. incompl/advan-83 "GMAT Verbal Quiz (6)", question 3

For the first time in his life ......... of going straight home, he called in at a pub on the way back.

(a) instead
(b) inside
(c) including
(d) into

Test No. incompl/advan-83 "GMAT Verbal Quiz (6)", answer 3

For the first time in his life instead of going straight home, he called in at a pub on the way back.

Correct answer: (a) instead

Your answer was: correct
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"Call in" here might mean to visit?

[Alan]

Yes, call in does mean visit but when you have an object you need to add at as in: Call in at our house.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Prepositions