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
During the arrest, the child called her father on the phone to tell her that ICE agents were bringing her to school.
—
Reg Chapman, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
In a promo for the project, Earle is seen walking out of Netflix offices, talking to her father on the phone.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
The biggest sign of MomTok mishaps comes with a scene showing a tearful Taylor on the phone.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Having time to let your mind drift is helpful, especially after an active day at work, school, or on the phone.
—Rahul Jandial, Parents, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the phone
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Reg Chapman, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
In a promo for the project, Earle is seen walking out of Netflix offices, talking to her father on the phone.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
The biggest sign of MomTok mishaps comes with a scene showing a tearful Taylor on the phone.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Having time to let your mind drift is helpful, especially after an active day at work, school, or on the phone.
—Rahul Jandial, Parents, 18 Jan. 2026
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 30 Jan. 2026.
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