on the phone

phrase

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?

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Cite this Entry

“On the phone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20phone. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

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