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
In a criminal complaint cited by KSTP and the Pioneer Press, investigators said the woman was on the phone with a friend when she was allegedly attacked.
—
Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
After his partner of 30 years talks with his mother on the phone, Brackett knows the topic of their conversation just by glancing at his face.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
If the two sides find themselves back on the phone, don’t be surprised if Jerry Jones takes a big swing to replace Micah Parsons with the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up from 2024.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Powell agreed to start fresh after talking with Rochelle on the phone.
—Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the phone
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Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
After his partner of 30 years talks with his mother on the phone, Brackett knows the topic of their conversation just by glancing at his face.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
If the two sides find themselves back on the phone, don’t be surprised if Jerry Jones takes a big swing to replace Micah Parsons with the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up from 2024.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Powell agreed to start fresh after talking with Rochelle on the phone.
—Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 30 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 10 Nov. 2025.
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