Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nowadays she would probably have phoned the other mothers, but in those times it was believed that children should fight their own battles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 2, 2025

Turan believed Cruise by this point in the franchise could have phoned in his performance as the intrepid secret agent, but the actor absolutely does not.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 11, 2023

They could have phoned it in and been like, “Listen, we don’t have time to learn more choreography.”

From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2022

One respondent said: "Numerous times we have phoned our surgery at 8am and it takes at least an hour to get through, to be told there are no appointments and ring back tomorrow."

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2021

By the time he reached the Kachina Motel the sheriff felt shitty, like he should have phoned Vera and canceled their appointment.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols