answer the phone — to pick up and respond to a telephone call when it rings
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to pick up and respond to a telephone call when it rings
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈænsər ðə foʊn/
Example Sentences
- My grandma still thinks answering the phone after 9 PM will summon demons.
- I trained my cat to answer the phone, but all it says is 'meow' - still better customer service than some companies.
- Please answer the phone when the client calls this afternoon.
answer the phone
NOUN[/ˈænsər ðə foʊn/]
to pick up and respond to a telephone call when it rings
She rushes to answer the phone while juggling groceries at the door.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Answer derives from Old English 'andswaru', a compound of 'and-' (against) and 'swerian' (to swear), literally meaning to speak in response or counter-statement. Phone originates from Greek 'phone' (sound, voice), used in modern English to denote a device for transmitting sound across distances.
Breakdown
Answer: and- (against) + swear (speak in response); Phone: from Greek phone- (sound, voice), representing the acoustic transmission function of the device.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandma still thinks answering the phone after 9 PM will summon demons.”
“I trained my cat to answer the phone, but all it says is 'meow' - still better customer service than some companies.”
“Please answer the phone when the client calls this afternoon.”
“She was too busy to answer the phone during the meeting.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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