1 A2 neutral
To telephone a place before you arrive to check availability, make arrangements, or give notice.
"You should phone ahead to make sure the doctor's surgery is open on bank holidays."
phone ahead
A2 neutral intransitive
To telephone someone in advance to give notice, check availability, or make arrangements before arriving.
In plain English
To call somewhere by phone before you go there, to let them know you are coming.
What does "phone ahead" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To phone (call) ahead (in advance of arrival).
Actually means
To call somewhere by phone before you go there, to let them know you are coming.
Usage tip
Very practical, everyday phrase. Common in British English; American English tends to prefer 'call ahead'. Used when visiting restaurants, hospitals, offices, or friends. Slightly less common now with the rise of online booking, but still widely understood and used.
Words that pair with "phone ahead"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
restaurant clinic office reservation appointment hotel
How to conjugate "phone ahead"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
phone ahead
I/you/we/they
3rd person
phones ahead
he/she/it
Past simple
phoned ahead
yesterday
Past participle
phoned ahead
have + pp
-ing form
phoning ahead
continuous
Hear "phone ahead" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "phone ahead" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "phone ahead"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.