leave a message

Meaning

To leave a message means to give information to someone so they can pass it on to a person who is currently unavailable, or to record a voice note on a voicemail system. It is a standard, polite phrase used in both professional and personal telephone etiquette.

Examples

• He isn't at his desk right now; would you like to leave a message?

  He isn't at his desk right now; would you like to leave a message?

• I called the director, but I had to leave a message on her voicemail.

  I called the director, but I had to leave a message on her voicemail.

• If I don't answer my phone, just leave a message and I'll call you back.

  If I don't answer my phone, just leave a message and I'll call you back.

• She called to leave a message saying she would be late for the meeting.

  She called to leave a message saying she would be late for the meeting.

• Please leave a message after the beep, and we will get back to you soon.

  Please leave a message after the beep, and we will get back to you soon.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Can I make a message for Mr. Davis?

  ✓ Can I leave a message for Mr. Davis?

  We do not 'make' a message. The correct verb collocation is always 'leave a message' when you want someone to contact you back.

• ✗ He is busy, do you want to give a message?

  ✓ He is busy, do you want to leave a message?

  While 'give a message' is occasionally used when passing information to a third party, 'leave a message' is the standard, natural expression for phone calls and voicemails.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since she wasn't available, I had to ___ on her answering machine.

  💡 Record a voice note for her to hear later.

  Show answer

  leave a message

• If you call after business hours, you can ___ with our answering service.

  💡 Provide information to be passed on.

  Show answer

  leave a message