phone (something) in

phone (something) in

1. Literally, to make a telephone call in order to relay or transmit information to someone else. Make sure you phone the incident in immediately, or we could be held legally liable. We'll need to phone the order in at least two weeks in advance if we want to receive it on time.2. To perform a role or duty in a halfhearted, disinterested, and unprofessional manner. Everyone phones it in on the morning after a staff party, so don't worry if you don't feel able to give this report your all. You can tell the actor is phoning it in—I'm sure he got a good paycheck for the voiceover, but you'd think he could try a little bit harder.See also: phone

phone something in (to someone or something)

to transmit information to a central person or central point by telephone. I will phone this order in to the plant right away. I will phone in the order to my secretary right now. Don't worry. I'll phone it in.See also: phone

phone in (to someone or something)

to call in by telephone to a central person or central point. I will phone in to my secretary and report the change in schedule. I have to phone in and report the changes.See also: phone

phone in

v.1. To relay some information by telephone: I phoned in my credit card number so the company could bill me directly. She couldn't go to the meeting, so she just phoned her report in using a speaker phone.2. To perform something halfheartedly or carelessly without full concentration or passion: After playing the same role for a year, the actor started to phone in his performances.See also: phone

phone it in

To do something in a perfunctory way or with little interest: One of the actors in the play was just phoning it in.See also: phone