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Office & Administration vocabulary · Phone Calls & Etiquette

The line is busy

Meaning in office & administration, with examples

phraseCommon term

In office & administration, the line is busy means: A phrase meaning that the phone you are calling is already in use, so the call cannot be connected right now.

In Turkish: hat meşgul, telefon meşgul

How it is used

British English also says the line is engaged. Receptionists use it to explain why they cannot put a caller through: "I'm afraid the line is busy. Would you like to hold?" The sound you hear is a busy signal (US) or an engaged tone (UK).

Example sentences

  1. I'm afraid the line is busy. Shall I ask him to call you back?

  2. I tried the hotel three times, but the line was busy every time.

Common collocations

  • the line is busy
  • the line is engaged
  • busy signal
  • engaged tone
  • put on holdTo keep a caller waiting on the line for a short time, usually while you check something or find the right person.
  • call backTo phone someone again, or to return a call from someone who tried to phone you earlier.
  • extensionAn internal phone number connected to a company's main line, which lets callers reach a particular person or desk.
  • switchboardThe central phone system of an organisation, or the team that answers the main number and connects callers to the right extension.

More terms: Phone Calls & Etiquette

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