English Reference
Idiom idiom

be on the phone


To be busy talking to someone using a telephone.


SIMPLE

“Please wait, she is on the phone right now.”

CONTEXTUAL

“I tried to call you earlier, but you were on the phone with a client for an hour.”

COMPLEX

“While the manager was on the phone discussing the urgent contract, the rest of the team prepared the presentation for the afternoon meeting.”

Last updated April 22, 2026