phone in

Verb

phone in (third-person singular simple present phones in, present participle phoning in, simple past and past participle phoned in)

1. (ambitransitive) To deliver a message by telephone when etiquette demands the effort and respect conveyed by communication in person.
   • Please give us the courtesy of showing up instead of phoning in.
   • Please give us the courtesy of delivering it in person instead of phoning it in.

   Synonyms:

   call in

2. (intransitive) To make a telephone call to a broadcasting station, especially to participate in a program being aired.
   • We've got Brian phoning in from Phoenix. Brian, you're on the air.
   • I've been trying to phone in to your program for the last half hour.

   Synonyms:

   call in

3. (ambitransitive, figuratively, idiomatic) To fulfill a responsibility with a minimum effort rather than the appropriate level of effort.
   • phone it in
   • He thought he could phone in the scheduling process, but it takes sharp negotiations around here.

   Synonyms:

   mail it in

4. (transitive) To make an unseemly, timid performance; to be restrained and timid when bold action is called for.