# on the horn

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/on-the-horn
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

On the telephone.

## Examples

- She's on the horn with her mother right now.
- The manager was on the horn for an hour, trying to sort out the delivery problem.
- While the rest of us waited anxiously in silence, the lawyer was already on the horn, negotiating terms with the opposing counsel.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.