1 A2 neutral
To telephone a radio or TV programme to participate, vote, or ask a question.
"Hundreds of listeners phoned in to share their views on the new traffic policy."
phone in
B1 neutral intransitive
To call a television or radio programme, workplace, or service by telephone; or to do something with minimal effort.
In plain English
To call a place by phone, especially a radio show or your workplace. Also means to do something without really trying.
What does "phone in" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To call your workplace by phone, especially to report that you are sick or will be absent.
"She phoned in sick on Monday because she had a terrible cold."
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To do something without real effort or engagement; to go through the motions.
"The critics said the actor was just phoning it in during the second half of the film."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To phone into (a place).
Actually means
To call a place by phone, especially a radio show or your workplace. Also means to do something without really trying.
Usage tip
Has two main uses: (1) the literal sense of calling into a broadcast or your workplace by phone; (2) the informal, figurative sense meaning to do something with very little effort or enthusiasm, as if one isn't really present — this use is common in journalism and sport commentary. British English preference over 'call in'.
Words that pair with "phone in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
sick show competition vote report programme
How to conjugate "phone in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
phone in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
phones in
he/she/it
Past simple
phoned in
yesterday
Past participle
phoned in
have + pp
-ing form
phoning in
continuous
Hear "phone in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "phone in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "phone in"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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