expect a phone call

Meaning

This phrase means to anticipate or wait for someone to call you on the phone, usually because a call was previously arranged or is highly likely to happen. It is common in both casual and professional contexts.

Examples

• I am expecting a phone call from the doctor's office this afternoon.

  I am expecting a phone call from the doctor's office this afternoon.

• Please keep your phone nearby if you expect a phone call from the delivery driver.

  Please keep your phone nearby if you expect a phone call from the delivery driver.

• She didn't expect a phone call from her ex-boyfriend out of the blue.

  She didn't expect a phone call from her ex-boyfriend out of the blue.

• I can't go to the movie theater because I expect an important phone call.

  I can't go to the movie theater because I expect an important phone call.

• Did you expect a phone call from the hiring manager today?

  Did you expect a phone call from the hiring manager today?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am waiting a phone call from my boss.

  ✓ I am expecting a phone call from my boss.

  'Wait' requires 'for' when followed by an object, whereas 'expect' does not. 'Expect' also implies anticipation of a planned event.

• ✗ I expect for a phone call soon.

  ✓ I expect a phone call soon.

  'Expect' is a transitive verb here and does not take the preposition 'for'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I need to keep my ringer on because I ___ from the hospital.

  💡 Am waiting for a telephone ring.

  Show answer

  expect a phone call

• Did you ___ from the bank regarding your loan?

  💡 Anticipate being called.

  Show answer

  expect a phone call