phoning it in
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.
“I’m big fans of all of you—except for NPR. Just a bunch of celebs phoning it in, so try harder,” Poehler joked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026
A movie star, on the other hand, can get away with phoning it in, coasting on their charisma and magnetism as far as it’ll take them.
From Salon ● Jun. 17, 2025
It’s the difference between phoning it in and feeling it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2024
I felt crestfallen seeing Adam Scott, who’s so droll in “Party Down” and “Parks and Rec,” and Zosia Mamet, sweetly silly in “Girls,” phoning it in from another planet — the polar opposite of funny/sweet/anything.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 2, 2024
A retired Major League Baseball player is technically running for Senate in California—and he’s really phoning it in.
From Slate ● Feb. 5, 2024
