telephone tag

American  

noun

1. repeated unsuccessful attempts by two persons to connect with one another by telephone.

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Example Sentences

As we noted earlier, Strzok was not at the meeting, so this is could be an exercise in telephone tag.

From Washington Post • Jun. 26, 2020

No more playing telephone tag or pulling down an e-mail screen.

From Time Magazine Archive

Playing telephone tag with your doctor is one of the most common--and frustrating--rituals of modern medicine.

From Time Magazine Archive

Enthusiasts insist that the systems not only improve productivity but actually enhance human interactions by eliminating wasted calls and unproductive rounds of "telephone tag."

From Time Magazine Archive

So if you're lucky enough to have direct access to your physician via computer, don't abuse the privilege--or we could all wind up playing telephone tag forever.

From Time Magazine Archive