Talking to someone using a telephone; Synonym of on the phone
(dated, UK) Connected to a telephone system.
Source: en.wiktionary.orgOn the telephone That's an amazing invention, but who would ever want to use one of them. Rutherford B. Hayes
One day, I came in and she was on the telephone. She was quite pale. She told me that I wouldn't believe what was going on. She was being watched. She said she would not be able to invite me for tea again. She was a nice Jewish lady. Frank Buckles
I've been walking my mind to an easy time, My back turned towards the sun. Lord knows the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around. Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line, To talk about things to come. Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground. James Taylor
It's going to take some time this time To get myself in shape. I really fell out of line this time, I really missed the gate. The birds on the telephone line, (next time) Are cryin' out to me, (next time) And I won't be so blind next time And I'll find some harmony. Carole King
I assume everything I'm saying in an email or saying on the telephone is being looked at. Michael Moore
For people who have been raised on text-based interactions, just speaking on the telephone can be high bandwidth to the point of anxiety. Daniel H. Wilson