on the phone
idiom
1
: using a telephone to talk to someone
Can you see who's at the door? I'm on the phone.
I was on the phone with my sister until late last night.
2
British
: connected to a telephone system
How many households aren't on the phone?
Examples of on the phone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Whether that's on the phone or on here on social media.
—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
You are not required to enjoy talking on the phone.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
One memorable moment comes early, when another call between Polly and her mother tilts into dread as the voice on the phone morphs into a more callous, sinister being.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
By Friday morning, while most of us were shuffling kids off to school or heading to work, the Giants rookie was already on the phone with his coaches during his drive to the facility, preparing for the Denver Broncos.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the phone
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
You are not required to enjoy talking on the phone.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
One memorable moment comes early, when another call between Polly and her mother tilts into dread as the voice on the phone morphs into a more callous, sinister being.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
By Friday morning, while most of us were shuffling kids off to school or heading to work, the Giants rookie was already on the phone with his coaches during his drive to the facility, preparing for the Denver Broncos.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the phone
Cite this Entry
“On the phone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20phone. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share