phone in
phone in
1. To connect (to some place) by phone. A number of our listeners have been phoning in to tell us their opinions on this matter. Ted couldn't be here in person for the meeting, but he's going to phone in from Chicago.
2. To relay or transmit information (to someone or some place) with or as with a phone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "phone" and "in." Make sure you phone in the incident immediately, or we could be held legally liable for it. If you have a news tip for us to broadcast on the air, don't hesitate to phone it in!
3. To perform a role or duty in a halfhearted, disinterested, and unprofessional manner. In this usage, noun or pronoun can be used between "phone" and "in," especially "it." Everyone phones it in on the morning after a staff party, so don't worry if you don't feel able to give this report your all. You can tell the actor is phoning it in—I'm sure he got a good paycheck for the voiceover, but you'd think he would try a little bit harder.
See also: phone
phone it in
To perform a role or duty in a halfhearted, disinterested, and unprofessional manner. Everyone phones it in on the morning after a staff party, so don't worry if you don't feel able to give this report your all. You can tell the actor is phoning it in—I'm sure he got a good paycheck for the voiceover, but you'd think he could try a little bit harder.
See also: phone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
phone something in (to someone or something)
to transmit information to a central person or central point by telephone. I will phone this order in to the plant right away. I will phone in the order to my secretary right now. Don't worry. I'll phone it in.
See also: phone
phone in (to someone or something)
to call in by telephone to a central person or central point. I will phone in to my secretary and report the change in schedule. I have to phone in and report the changes.
See also: phone
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
phone in
v.
1. To relay some information by telephone: I phoned in my credit card number so the company could bill me directly. She couldn't go to the meeting, so she just phoned her report in using a speaker phone.
2. To perform something halfheartedly or carelessly without full concentration or passion: After playing the same role for a year, the actor started to phone in his performances.
See also: phone
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
phone it in
To do something in a perfunctory way or with little interest: One of the actors in the play was just phoning it in.
See also: phone
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- phone it in
- dial in
- phone up
- dial into
- connect up
- put (one) through (to someone)
- put through
- mental giant
- graft
- connect with something