screening calls
Vetting incoming rings
Screening calls is the practice of checking who's calling before deciding whether to answer.
Before caller ID, this meant letting an answering machine pick up and listening as the caller left a message.
Now it typically means glancing at the screen and choosing not to answer: I've been screening calls all day—I can't deal with my mother right now.
The phrase implies deliberate avoidance rather than simply missing calls.
- voicemailRecorded caller messages
- unknown numberQuantity not yet identified
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- gatekeeperOne controlling entry
- receptionistVisitor-greeting office worker
hold · ringing · unknown · spam · telemarketer · answering machine · filter · dodge · ignore · secretary · personal assistant · assistant · busy signal · inbox · prioritize · nuisance · unwanted · do not disturb
- phone etiquettemuting, voicemail, speakerphone, greeting, sign-off
- overparentinghelicopter parenting, helicopter parent, overprotective, overprotection, overprotecting
- evasionevasion, avoiding, avoids, evade, dodging
- leavingdeparture, quit, walking away, withdrawing, bail
- rejectionrejection, reject, denial, refuse, refusal
- boundariesboundary, boundary line, borders, border, edges