be on the telephonea) TCTTELEPHONEto be talking to someone, using the telephone 正在打电话 I was on the telephone when he came in. 他进来时我正在打电话。
b) TCTto have a telephone in your home, office etc 〔家里、办公室里等〕有电话
be on the telephone• From 6am Brown is on the telephone.• The Sheikh arrived while the doctor was on the telephone to the hospital.• I told him who I was on the telephone.• She loves to be on the telephone.• She must not ask who was on the telephone.
→ be on the telephone at telephone1(2)