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
Cassidy's attorney hired a private investigator, who tracked the man down to Astoria, Queens, and called him on the phone.
—
Christina Coulter, Fox News, 23 May 2024
In October 2023, Antoinette Gilmore, of Washington, D.C., got into an argument with her roommate on the phone, according to a May 21 news release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
—Paloma Chavez, Miami Herald, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for on the phone 
Christina Coulter, Fox News, 23 May 2024
In October 2023, Antoinette Gilmore, of Washington, D.C., got into an argument with her roommate on the phone, according to a May 21 news release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
—Paloma Chavez, Miami Herald, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for on the phone
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on the phone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 May. 2024.
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