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
Someone talking on the phone didn’t wash her hands before putting on gloves.
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Previous attempts to reach Michael Thomas on the phone, through his attorney and at his home, have been unsuccessful.
—Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Once the transfer portal window closed, the Chippewas were back on the phone asking if Sutton was still available.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Bruce Feldman got Cooper Manning on the phone.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the phone
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David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Previous attempts to reach Michael Thomas on the phone, through his attorney and at his home, have been unsuccessful.
—Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Once the transfer portal window closed, the Chippewas were back on the phone asking if Sutton was still available.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Bruce Feldman got Cooper Manning on the phone.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Feb. 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 7 Feb. 2026.
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