Expressions Related to Phones

Expressions Related to Phones

Hello English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we will look at different expressions related to phones.

Below is a list of idioms and expressions whose origins lie in telephone language but which have seamlessly woven into everyday conversation—even in our era of mobile phones. Some stem from the early days of telephony, yet they capture a timeless facet of communication.

Hold the phone

Meaning: wait a minute or pause for clarification.

• Hold the phone—did you just say you ran into an old friend at the concert?

Give someone a ring

Meaning: to call someone on the phone. Expressions related to phones

• I’ll give you a ring later so we can talk about our plans for the weekend.

Phone it in

Meaning: to do something with minimal effort or enthusiasm—as if you were merely “phoning it in.”

• His presentation wasn’t very engaging; he definitely phoned it in.

Wrong number

Meaning: refers both to dialing an incorrect phone number and, metaphorically, to a mistaken assumption or error.

• I think you’ve got the wrong number.
• That idea turned out to be a complete wrong number.

Ring off the hook

Meaning: to receive an overwhelming number of phone calls or to be extremely busy with incoming calls.

• Ever since the product launch, my phone’s been ringing off the hook! Expressions related to phones

On call

Meaning: being available to work or answer calls, most often used in professional or emergency contexts.

• The nurse is on call tonight, so she’s just a phone call away if needed.

Dial it down

Meaning: To reduce intensity or volume—originating from adjusting a dial on older telephones.

• Could you dial it down a bit? The conversation is getting a bit too heated.

Call it a day

Meaning: to stop working or declare the end of an activity.

• After fixing that bug for hours, we decided to call it a day.

Pick up the phone

Meaning: to answer a ringing telephone; often used more broadly to imply taking action when communication is needed.

• I’ve been waiting for your update—please pick up the phone next time it rings! Expressions related to phones

Buzz someone

Meaning: a casual British expression meaning to call someone, usually quickly or informally.

• Just buzz me when you’re free, and we’ll catch up.

ET phone home

Meaning: borrowed from the famous film line, it playfully means to contact someone back home or check in after being away.

• After that long holiday, I couldn’t wait to ET phone home and tell everyone about my adventures!

Hold the line

Meaning: an instruction to wait on the phone until the call can be transferred or continued.

• Please hold the line while I connect you with the customer service department.

Speak off the record

Meaning: to share information unofficially or confidentially, not intended for publication.

• He agreed to speak off the record so we could get a candid view of the negotiations.

Call the shots

Meaning: to be the one who makes decisions or controls a situation. Expressions related to phones

• Everyone knew that when it came to the project, Maria was the one calling the shots.

Phone a friend

Meaning: to seek help or advice by calling someone, popularised by game shows and everyday use.

• Stuck on that tricky problem, I decided to phone a friend for some help.

These expressions not only add colour to our language but also remind us of the integral role that telephones—now evolved as mobile devices—play in our daily interactions. Whether you are chatting casually or using one of these idioms to add flair to your writing, they reflect the way technology and language evolve together.

Expressions related to phones

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