on the horn: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    United StatesUnited KingdominformalcolloquialMachine
    • By telephone; engaged in telephonic communication (often used in the imperative to mean 'make a phone call').

    Examples

    Beta

    • I was just on the horn with Sarah trying to finalize our travel plans before the deadline.

      I was just speaking on the phone with Sarah trying to finalize our travel plans before the deadline.

    • Can you get Tom on the horn? We need his approval before moving forward.

      Can you call Tom? We need his approval before moving forward.

    • She’s been on the horn all morning, coordinating with clients across different time zones.

      She has been talking on the phone all morning, coordinating with clients across different time zones.

  • 2.

    United StatesUnited KingdomneutralMachine
    • Playing or sounding a horn instrument (e.g., trumpet, saxophone) or a horn device.

    Examples

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    • During the jazz band rehearsal, James was on the horn, playing a soulful saxophone solo.

      During the jazz band rehearsal, James was playing a horn instrument, performing a soulful saxophone solo.

    • Every weekend, Clara practices on the horn to prepare for the upcoming concert.

      Every weekend, Clara plays her horn instrument to prepare for the upcoming concert.

    • The marching band members took turns on the horn, creating a lively parade atmosphere.

      The marching band members played their horn instruments in turn, creating a lively parade atmosphere.

    • You could hear the trumpet on the horn blaring from the stadium during the game.

      You could hear the trumpet being played from the stadium during the game.

  • 3.

    United StatesUnited KingdomneutralMachine
    • By means of a vehicle horn; used to refer to honking as a signal or warning.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The driver was on the horn repeatedly, warning pedestrians to clear the crosswalk.

      The driver was honking the horn repeatedly, warning pedestrians to clear the crosswalk.

    • I heard a car on the horn just outside the window—it must be someone impatient in traffic.

      I heard a car honking its horn just outside the window—it must be someone impatient in traffic.

    • If you see a bike on the horn, be sure to move over and give them some space.

      If you hear a bike honking its horn, be sure to move over and give them some space.

    • The taxi driver was on the horn to alert the passengers that he had arrived.

      The taxi driver honked the horn to alert the passengers that he had arrived.

Examples:

  • EN: You're wanted on the horn.
    ES: Te llaman.
  • EN: I like a good tune on the horn, myself.
    ES: A mí también me gusta la música.
  • EN: And the signal is three honks on the horn.
    ES: Y la señal es tres toques del claxon.
  • EN: All the time I was thinking about that dark street on the way to the station... where I was to do it... and the three honks on the horn that were to be the signal.
    ES: La pasé pensando en esa calle oscura camino a la estación... en la que tendría que hacerlo... y en la señal de los tres toques del claxon.
  • EN: If I give you the signal on the horn, you call everything off.
    ES: Si toco el claxon, abandona el plan.
  • EN: Get on the horn.
    ES: Usa el teléfono.
  • EN: Well, you better put it on the horn to London, Peter.
    ES: Ponme con Londres cuanto antes, Peter.
  • EN: Sparks, get on the horn.
    ES: Sparks, escucha.
  • EN: Put the old man on the horn would you Pete?
    ES: Busca el hefe. quiero hablar con el.
  • EN: Look, Martin, I want you to get on the horn and talk this guy down.
    ES: Mira, Martin, quiero que cojas el micro y hables con ese tipo.
  • EN: Stay on the horn.
    ES: Quédate con la bocina.
  • EN: - Blow on the horn.
    ES: - Toca el claxon.
  • EN: I'd better get on the horn and calm down anybody that needs calming down.
    ES: Voy a dar un mensaje para calmar a todo el mundo.
  • EN: Come on, Cass, sit in for a while. The lecture's great, but, uh you're better on the horn.
    ES: Cass, sal un momento, la conferencia está bien pero tú eres mejor con el saxo.
  • EN: Colonel, get on the horn and give that order.
    ES: Coronel, tome el teléfono y dé esa orden.
  • EN: You're wanted on the horn.
    ES: Te llaman.
  • EN: I like a good tune on the horn, myself.
    ES: A mí también me gusta la música.
  • EN: And the signal is three honks on the horn.
    ES: Y la señal es tres toques del claxon.
  • EN: All the time I was thinking about that dark street on the way to the station... where I was to do it... and the three honks on the horn that were to be the signal.
    ES: La pasé pensando en esa calle oscura camino a la estación... en la que tendría que hacerlo... y en la señal de los tres toques del claxon.
  • EN: If I give you the signal on the horn, you call everything off.
    ES: Si toco el claxon, abandona el plan.
  • EN: Get on the horn.
    ES: Usa el teléfono.

Related Idioms

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Source: Wiktionary

on the horn: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator