1. Literally, to make a telephone call in order to relay or transmit information to someone else. Make sure you phone the incident in immediately, or we could be held legally liable. We'll need to phone the order in at least two weeks in advance if we want to receive it on time.

2. To perform a role or duty in a halfhearted, disinterested, and unprofessional manner. Everyone phones it in on the morning after a staff party, so don't worry if you don't feel able to give this report your all. You can tell the actor is phoning it in—I'm sure he got a good paycheck for the voiceover, but you'd think he could try a little bit harder.