telephone

Related to telephone: telephone service

be on the phone

To be talking on the telephone. The boss is on the phone right now, but I can tell her you stopped by.
See also: on, phone

get on the (phone) extension

1. To begin talking to someone on the telephone. The boss just got on the extension, but I can tell her you stopped by. I need to get on the telephone extension
2. To ask someone else to speak to the caller or join in on the current telephone conversation. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "get" and "on." Get Ryan on the extension—he's the only one that can sort out this mess. OK, well, this irate customer is demanding that I get the CEO on the phone extension.
See also: extension, get, on

get onto the phone

To begin talking to someone on the telephone. The full word "telephone" can be used as well. The boss just got onto the phone, but I can tell her you stopped by. Holly gets onto the phone with her boyfriend as soon as she comes home from school every day—it's so annoying.
See also: get, phone

on the telephone

Currently using a telephone to talk to another person. Please be quiet! Can't you see I'm on the telephone? I was on the telephone for nearly three hours trying to get through to a customer service representative.
See also: on, telephone

play telephone tag

To engage in a series of telephone calls with another person in which each time one party calls, the other is not available to answer. Hi Mary, just leaving you another message. We've been playing a bit of telephone tag today, huh? Just give me a call back whenever you get this, thanks!
See also: play, tag, telephone

talk on the big white (tele)phone

slang To vomit profusely and at length into a toilet. He had a few too many shots of tequila and spent the rest of the night talking on the big white telephone. You're awfully pale, Charlie. You look like you need to talk on the big white phone.
See also: big, on, talk, white

talk to God on the big white (tele)phone

slang To vomit profusely and at length into a toilet. He had a few too many shots of tequila and spent the rest of the night talking to God on the big white telephone. You're awfully pale, Charlie. You look like you need to talk to God on the big white phone.
See also: big, god, on, talk, white

talk to Huey on the big white (tele)phone

slang To vomit profusely and at length into a toilet. "Huey" is slang for "vomit," likely as an onomatopoeia for the sound one makes when vomiting. He had a few too many shots of tequila and spent the rest of the night talking to Huey on the big white telephone. You're awfully pale, Charlie. You look like you need to talk to Huey on the big white phone.
See also: big, Huey, on, talk, white

talk to Hughie on the big white (tele)phone

slang To vomit profusely and at length into a toilet. "Hughie" is likely used as an onomatopoeia for the sound of someone retching. He had a few too many shots of tequila and spent the rest of the night talking to Hughie on the big white telephone. You're awfully pale, Charlie. You look like you need to talk to Hughie on the big white phone.
See also: big, Hughie, on, talk, white

talk to Ralph on the big white (tele)phone

slang To vomit profusely and at length into a toilet. "Ralph" is slang meaning "to vomit." He had a few too many shots of tequila and spent the rest of the night talking to Ralph on the big white telephone. You're awfully pale, Charlie. You look like you need to talk to Ralph on the big white phone.
See also: big, on, ralph, talk, white

telephone in

1. To call a specific location on the telephone, especially in order to relay or transmit certain information. A noun or pronoun can be used between "telephone" and "in" to specify the purpose or content of the call. We're encouraging our listeners to telephone in with their answers to our Sunday quiz. Please telephone your findings in as soon as possible.
2. To perform a role or duty in a halfhearted, disinterested, or unprofessional manner. More commonly shortened to "phone in." A noun or pronoun can be used between "telephone" and "in." Everyone telephones it in on the morning after a staff party. I'm sure he got a good paycheck for the voiceover, so you'd think he could do better than telephoning in his performance
See also: telephone

telephone into (some place)

To call a specific location on the telephone, especially in order to relay or transmit certain information. A noun or pronoun can be used between "telephone" and "in" to specify the purpose or content of the call. We're encouraging our listeners to telephone into the station with their answers to our Sunday quiz. Please telephone your findings into the main office as soon as possible.
See also: telephone

telephone tag

A series of telephone calls made between two people in which each time one party calls, the other is not available to answer. Hi Mary, just leaving you another message. We've had a bit of telephone tag today, huh? Just give me a call back whenever you get this, thanks!
See also: tag, telephone

Who do you want?

With whom do you wish to speak? (Usually asked on the telephone.) A: "I'd like to speak to your manager, please." B: "There are a few different managers here. Who do you want?" A: "I need to ask one of your employees a few questions about yesterday's incident." B: "Sure thing. Who do you want?"
See also: who
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*on the telephone

 and *on the phone
Fig. speaking on the telephone. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) She's on the phone but won't be long. Please take a seat while I'm on the phone. Get on the phone and call him back immediately!
See also: on, telephone

telephone something in (to someone)

to call someone on the telephone, usually to give particular information. (The person called is in a special location, such as one's workplace or headquarters.) I will telephone my report in to my secretary. I telephoned in my report. I will telephone it in tomorrow.
See also: telephone

Who do you want?

 and Who do you want to talk to?; Who do you want to speak to?; Who do you wish to speak to?; Who do you wish to talk to?
Who do you want to speak to over the telephone? (All these questions can also begin with whom. Compare this with With whom do you wish to speak?) Sue: Wilson residence. Who do you want to speak to? Bill: Hi, Sue. I want to talk to you. Tom (answering the phone): Hello? Sue: Hello, who is this? Tom: Who do you wish to speak to? Sue: Is Sally there? Tom: Just a minute.
See also: who
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

be on the ˈtelephone/ˈphone


1 be using the telephone: Mr Perkins is on the telephone but he’ll be with you in a moment. You’re wanted (= somebody wants to speak to you) on the telephone.
2 (British English) have a telephone in your home or place of work: They live on a small island and are not on the phone.
See also: on, phone, telephone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • get on the phone
  • be on the phone
  • be on the telephone/phone
  • be a great one for (doing something)
  • be a great one for something/for doing something
  • on the phone
  • a great one for
  • a great one for (doing something)
  • call (one) on (something)
  • call on
References in classic literature
Until nearly ten o'clock that night the judges talked and listened by turns at the telephone. Then, next morning, they brought the apparatus to the judges' pavilion, where for the remainder of the summer it was mobbed by judges and scientists.
History of the Telephone
KATHERINE HADEN Solicitor Area: Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield Telephone: 01543 420000 Email: khaden@keelys.co.uk Website: www.keelys.
Family resolution in tough times
Bell demonstrates the new telephone connection between New York and Chicago in 1892.
Past in Perspective
However, the number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,151.78mn at the end of December 2016 to 1,190.67mn at the end of December 2017, registering a yearly growth rate of 3.38%.
Indian telecom sector's gross revenue dropped 8.5% in 2017
Kohler, commander, Naval Information Forces, placed the last call through one of NCTAMS LANT'S telephone operators to the Commanding Officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Command.
End of an Era: NCTAMS LANT Disestablishes Telephone Exchange
Ellsworth Cooperative Telephone Association (Ellsworth)
NTCA Certified Gig-Capable Providers
Back in the day, that telephone exchange was preceded by another at 19 Newhall Street, just down from Colmore Row.
NOSTALGIA: BRUM'S TELEPHONE EXCHANGES
With the 415/628 area code overlay, customers must dial 1 plus the three-digit area code for all calls to and from telephone numbers with the 415 and 628 area codes.
CPUC UPDATES DIALING PROCEDURE 415 AREA CODE
Explaining the telephone problem of the city, Mr Sather Ayoob, General Manager, Telephones, told that a 10,000line exchange in the central exchange zone and a 2,000-line exchange in Nazimabad will be ready by 2014, to enable the Telephone Department to clear over 80 per cent of the pending applications for new connections by the end of the next year.
Karachi to get six-digit phone system
Several members immediately offered assistance, and Levoy Knowles, chief executive officer of Ben Lomand Telephone Cooperative (McMinnville, Tenn.), offered to coordinate relief efforts.
NTCA honors telco rapid responders
* This study was the first to investigate the microbial flora of public telephone mouthpieces during the summer at a large urban U.S.
Potential pathogens and effective disinfectants on public telephones at a large urban United States university
Voipfone, an Internet telephone service provided by Inet Telecoms Ltd, has launched a new telephone service using ordinary BT telephone landlines and existing telephone equipment.
Voipfone introduces new telephone service for BT telephone landlines
Requirements: Filers may determine the actual amount of refundable long-distance telephone excise taxes paid for the 41 months from March 2003-July 2006, or use a formula to figure their refunds.
Telephone excise tax refunds
Cellular and land-line telephone owners may not be aware that a number of unscrupulous companies are selling their confidential information to third parties.
How safe are your telephone records?