Mastering Phrasal Verbs for Making Phone Calls in English
In today's English lesson, we're going to explore phrasal verbs related to making phone calls. We'll define each verb and provide examples of their usage. Plus there’s a little story at the end which incorporates all the English language that we’re looking at in this lesson. Mastering these phrasal verbs will hopefully help you sound more natural and confident when speaking English.
Let's get started!
1. Get Hold Of
Meaning: To reach somebody via the telephone.
Example: I finally got hold of my boss. I've been trying to call him all morning.
Example: I'm starting to get worried about my mom. I can't get hold of her. We usually speak first thing every morning, but there's no reply.
2. Call Up / Ring Up
Meaning: To make a phone call to somebody.
Example: I need to ring up my friend to ask about the party details.
Example: I need to call up the restaurant to check our reservations.
3. Pick Up
Meaning: To answer the phone.
Example: Whenever I call my kids, it takes them forever to pick up.
Example: When the doctor called, I picked up immediately.
4. Hang Up
Meaning: To end a phone call.
Example: Whenever I get a phone call from a random stranger trying to sell me insurance, I usually hang up.
Example: I had an argument with my boyfriend, and he hung up on me.
5. Hold On
Meaning: To wait on the phone.
Example: Can you hold on for a moment? I just need to check your records.
6. Hang On
Meaning: To wait for a short time.
Example: Hang on for a moment; I need to find a pen.
7. Call Back
Meaning: To return a phone call.
Example: I'll call you back after my meeting.
Example: Would you like me to call back a little later?
8. Put Through
Meaning: To connect someone to another person by phone.
Example: Let me put you through to the correct department.
Example: I'll put you through to the manager.
9. Cut Off
Meaning: To lose the connection during a phone call.
Example: The call was cut off because I lost the signal in the tunnel.
Example: Our call seemed to be cut off. I don't know what happened.
10. Get Back To
Meaning: To contact someone again after a previous call.
Example: I'm a bit busy at the moment; can I get back to you later?
Example: The manager will get back to you this afternoon.
11. Break Up
Meaning: To have a poor connection with sound cutting in and out.
Example: You're breaking up. Can you hear me?
Example: The call is breaking up due to a poor connection.
12. Pass On
Meaning: To give a message to someone via a phone call.
Example: Could you give me your details, please? I'll pass them on to my manager.
Example: I'll pass on the message to him when he gets back.
This morning, before starting work, I called up my sister-in-law to finalise plans for our upcoming holiday. We hadn't spoken for a few weeks, and I wanted to catch up. However, she was busy and didn't pick up, so it went to voicemail.
"I'll try to get hold of her later," I thought.
I also needed to ring up the hospital to confirm details of an upcoming appointment. In theory, it should have been simple, but I was put on hold for 15 minutes. When I finally got through, it was almost 10 am.
"Let me put you through to the right department. Just hang on for a moment," said the receptionist.
After being put on hold again, I had to hang up because I had a meeting.
"I'll call back later," I thought.
My phone pinged. It was a text from my sister-in-law saying she would get back to me in the evening. "Perfect," I thought.
At lunchtime, I spent another 15 minutes trying to get through to the right department at the hospital.
"How can I help you?" said the receptionist.
The line started to break up, and then the call was cut off. I'd have to start all over again. Half an hour later, I finally got through.
"I'll pass your message on to the doctor," said the receptionist. "Thank you for calling."