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