Over the phone meaning in English

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Definition

(I've never done this) over the phone!: (I've never done this) using a telephone, on the telephone! idiom

Examples

  • "You can buy your ticket online, over the phone, or in a Greendog Lines bus terminal or agency."
  • "I don't buy stocks over the phone."
  • "I can't handle any more debates about European agricultural policy, especially over the phone."
Exercise 1
Use the following words to fill in the blanks in the dialogue below. Be careful! Some words may be used more than once, or not at all.

over | through | in | under

Caller: Hello, is that Kevin Connors?
Hannah: You must have dialled the wrong number, but no worries – I’ll put you to him.
Caller: Sorry to bother you. I hate talking the phone. It makes me nervous.
Hannah: Try to stay calm, madam. This will all be soon.

Use the following words to fill in the blanks in the dialogue below. Be careful! Some words may be used more than once, or not at all.

over | through | in | under

Caller: Hello, is that Kevin Connors?
Hannah: You must have dialled the wrong number, but no worries – I’ll put you through 1 to him.
Caller: Sorry to bother you. I hate talking over 2 the phone. It makes me nervous.
Hannah: Try to stay calm, madam. This will all be over 3 soon.
1 through: "To put someone through (to someone)" is a term used on the telephone, referring to connecting a caller to someone else. Another example: "Hello, I don't have the specific telephone number, but could you put me through to the claims department?".
2 over: In English, we can "talk over the phone" or "talk on the phone". Both of these expressions refer to having a telephone conversation. For example: "Perhaps we can discuss the details of the wedding over the phone".
3 over: If something is "over" then it is finished or completed. Hannah is reassuring the caller that they will not have to continue the telephone conversation for a long time. Another example: "When is this movie going to be over? It's so boring!".
Exercise 2
Use the following words to fill in the blanks in the dialogue below. Be careful! Some words may be used more than once, or not at all.

over | through | in | under

Caller: Hello, is that Kevin Connors?
Hannah: You must have dialled the wrong number, but no worries – I’ll put you to him.
Caller: Sorry to bother you. I hate talking the phone. It makes me nervous.
Hannah: Try to stay calm, madam. This will all be soon.

Use the following words to fill in the blanks in the dialogue below. Be careful! Some words may be used more than once, or not at all.

over | through | in | under

Caller: Hello, is that Kevin Connors?
Hannah: You must have dialled the wrong number, but no worries – I’ll put you through 1 to him.
Caller: Sorry to bother you. I hate talking over 2 the phone. It makes me nervous.
Hannah: Try to stay calm, madam. This will all be over 3 soon.
1 through: "To put someone through (to someone)" is a term used on the telephone, referring to connecting a caller to someone else. Another example: "Hello, I don't have the specific telephone number, but could you put me through to the claims department?".
2 over: In English, we can "talk over the phone" or "talk on the phone". Both of these expressions refer to having a telephone conversation. For example: "Perhaps we can discuss the details of the wedding over the phone".
3 over: If something is "over" then it is finished or completed. Hannah is reassuring the caller that they will not have to continue the telephone conversation for a long time. Another example: "When is this movie going to be over? It's so boring!".

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